THE PREMIER'S VIEWS ON RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11923, 22 December 1900, Page 3

THE PREMIER'S VIEWS ON RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

TO THE KDITOB Sic, —The Premier's views on the above subject form interesting and suggestive reading. But the ideas suggested by them to yoin correspondent Dr James Copland, in your issue of the 20th inst., are still more surprising and suggestive. The Premier may, perhaps, be excused for confounding the "church" with its "ecclesiastical officers," and so saying that "ministers" should give religious instruction "out, of school hours." But all Dr Copland's training should have saved him from falling into the. same error, and saying that because " ministers " cannot overtake this work, therefore it cannot be done at all. and we must fall back upon the. State for help. A truer conception of the "church" as " a body of believing men," and a fuller recognition by the church of its powers and responsibilties, would surely save us from, the indignity of going "hat in hand" to ask the State lo do what the church cannot or will not do !

The Bible-in-schools party are constantly doing what Dr Copland does—arguing in Favour of their platform by referring to what is done in other places. Dr Copland, for instance, says the Bible is read daily within school hours under the superintendence of the teachers in New South Wales, and claims that there is no difficulty and very much good effected. I invite Dr Copland to make some further inquiry into this. I am credibly informed that the churches of that colony feel so strongly the ineffectiveness of this Biblereading in the schools that they arc adding to il ihe constant, teaching by the " ministers " of religious truth to the children " after school hours " !

Again, it is constantly urged in favour of Bible-reading in schools that Victoria, after many years of pure secularism in her schools, is rcintrodneing Bible-reading during school hours. It is not yet known, as it should be, what is really proposed to be done in Victoria. A friend of mine, an ardent Bible-in-schools man, when I called his attention to it ;n reported in a Melbourne paper, protested Ht.roni?ly that he did not want anything of that kind! What is happening in Victoria? A commission has been appointed to inquire and report. It has taken a very large amount of evidence, from al! sorts of people, and the conclusion it has come to is to recommend as follows:—(1) A selected series of Bible readings ; (g) a series of prayers in Bible language ; (3) a number of hymns—these to be taught by the teachers in the usual way. No wonder my friend protested strongly! But let us consider that this commission has given much 'lime and care to the question, and finds itself driven so far along the road by starting with the proposal to " read the Bible in the State schools dining school hours."

Would it not be wise for us in TCew Zealand to pause and ask "Whither?" When will the Biblc-in-schools party, or the Biblc-in-schools committee of I he Council of the Churches, take us fairly into their confidence? The question has never boon fairly explained nor publicly discussed. AVi> arc far from being ready for a referendum. And if one is taken in the dark we may bo sure of a disaster.—l am, etc., Conscience. Dmiedin, December 21.