EDUCATION TREND

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24969, 11 August 1944, Page 6

EDUCATION TREND

"TOO MATERIALISTIC" RELIGION IN SCHOOLS The increased interest which people generally were taking in the Church was commented upon by the Rt. Kev. D C Herron, moderate of the L resbyterian Church of New Zealand, who arrived in Auckland yesterday in the course of a tour of the Dominion. Mr Herron said there was a realisation nu akening in tlm Church that there was no hope of a permanent peace unless q new atmosphere, which only religion could produce, was created. "The present trend in education is m the direction of science and away from cfilture, and this gives one some misgivings," said Mr Herron. "This is emphasising a tendency which already is evident in New Zealand, for our higher education is too materialistic, ond does not promote sufficiently a sense of responsibility for u share in pu iic 'ife."

It was striking that although Britain was in the midst of a tremendous war, its legislators had been sufficiently alive to the situation to bring in a new Education .Bill, which was putting religion in a. more prominent place. There could not be adequate sanctions tor right conduct apart from religion, which must bo an integral part of education in schools. , . Under the ISHson system, religion in schools was now brought in from the outside, which might create the impression among children that it was not essential. It was not satisfactory that religion should bp taught 111 schools merely bv ministers who came to a schooi for a short time. Mr Herron expressed the opinion that the problem of child delinquency was due to the lack of adequate religious foundation for children in schools. . Serious concern at the declining number of voung men who were entering Hie theological college to be trained for tho Presbyterian Church was expressed bv Mr Her roil. About 45 young men were required every year, I>ut at present there were only 14 under training. Jb ,s situation was almost wholly due to the war but about double the number would be needed if the Church was to be staffed efficiently.

WELCOME EXTENDED COMB IXED CON G R EG A l l ON S Members of the Auckland Presbytery and of the congregations of St. David s. Mount Eden and Bplmoral Presbyterian churches united at St. David's last night to welcome the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, the Hit. Rev. D. C. HerromThe Moderator of Presbytery, the Very Rev. T. Koseveare, presided and referred to the notable contribution Mr Hcrron bad made to education and to the life of the Church in the Dominion. The Mr J. A. 0. Allum, also cordially welcomed Mr Herron. In his address .Mr Herron quoted a number of instances of the stirring of new spiritual life in Europe and in the East. He said that after the war organisation alone wotihl not be sufficient to maintain the peace c>£ the world. Without an atmosphere of hrotherhood and unselfishness, which Christianity alone could supply, neither the Atlantic Charter nor any other reform being suggested at the present time would work.