THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9875, 21 October 1893, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

TO THE EDITOE. Bin, —I am glad to observe from your leading article of to-day on the education system that you acknowledge the correctness of the position which the Bibk-in-schools party have always maintained—that, the introduction of Bjblereadmg in the schools does not endanger the national Bystem; on the contrary, it is the only means of securing its stability. You also admit that Bible-reading does not affect the p-sition Of the Roman Catholics in the demands they make for subsidy to their schools. The merits of such demand remain the same whether Biblereading is permitted or excluded. The only parties fully satisfied with the present system are the secularists, who form but a small part of the population, and their liberty will not be interfered with by the permission of Biblereading under a conscience clause.

Surely, then, the opinion" of the majority ' ought to be^ respected in a national system, particularly under a Government professedly democratic. If they are in doubt on the point; let them take a plebiscite of the parents throughout the country, and act in accordance with the result. The position which some take up, that the education system as now established must not be touched, is most irrational. It satisfies only a vary small section of the community. It ignores altogether the highest part of our nature, which distinguishes us from the beasts. It leaves the children in ignorance of the most important events that have taken place in the history of the world, and unable to understand many of the allusions to the facts and phrases of the Bible which are constantly met with in literature and in common speech. The women of the colony have now an opportunity of giving effect to their opinion on this question, and it.may be well if candidates for Parliament take this into their serious consideration.—l am, fee , Gore, October 18. James Copland.