THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7929, 21 July 1887, Page 3

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

The following resolution of the Standing Committee of the Anglican Syuod of this diocese was passed at a special meetinghekl on the 19th iust.: —" That the Standing Committee, being called upon by the bishop, desires, in the interests of religion, to support the objects of the Bible-in-schoo!s AlMlltfiion—namely, tho reading* of the Holy SorffcSures, with a time table and conscience clause, in all the schools of the colony." A public meeting, convened by the Tokomairiro School Committee, was held in the Presbyterian Cburch, Milton, on Tuesday evening, for the purpose of discussing the Biblo-in-schools question. The weather was boisterous, and in consequence the attendance was not so good as it otherwise would have been; stiil the meeting was a fairly representative one of the district. The first resolution proposed was as follows : — "That this meeting values highly the present system of education in so far as it is national and brings the means of education within easy access of aIV, but deems the reading of the Bible in schoolsg during school hours essentially necessary to tho permanence and efficiency of the system." The Rev. Fyues-Cliufcon introduced the resolution, which was seconded by Mr J. Reid, of the District High School. Mr A. W. Grant moved an opposing resolution, and supported his arguments by a long speech, but the amendment was not seconded, and tbe motion was carried almost unanimously, Mr Grant only dissenting. The second resolution—"That thin meeting, believing that the object of tbe State iv undertaking the work of educatiou is to make good citizens, aud so ensure safe and prosperous government, is convinced that these cuds cannot be attained save through moral training of the children iv schools, aud this moral training can only be conducted in accordance with the teaching of the Bible "—proposed by the Rev. J. Chisholm and seconded by Mr C. King, was earned unanimously. The third resolution, proposed by tbe Rev. R. Taylor and seconded by Mr J. E. Brown, was— •' That this meeting, being desirous of treating all classes of the community with fairness, deplores the fact that in the present act the expressed wishes of a large majority of the people are disregarded, aud most sincerely believes that a national system with Bible-reading under a time table aud conscience clause need offend no one "; and the fourth, proposed by Mr F. Wayne and seconded by Mr James Inglis—" That the electors constituting this meeting agree to witlihold their support at the coming election from any candidate who refuses to givo a definite pledge in favour of such amendment of " The Education Act 1577 " as shall provide for the reading of the Bible in schools during school hours," were also carried unanimously. Messrs Wayne, Inglis, and Murray were appointed a committee to put test questions to candidates in. terms of the abovo resolutions.