BIBLE-READING IN SCHOOLS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12649, 29 April 1903, Page 5

BIBLE-READING IN SCHOOLS.

A COLONIAL'CONFERENCE.

3 (From Oup. Own ConnnsFoxDENT.) WELLINGTON, April 28. 5 A conferonco of representatives from all [ parts of tho colony sat hero to-day in con- . nection with tho question of Bible-reading in , public schools. The following aro the dclo- •■ gates attending:—Presbyterian: Rev. Dr ) Gibb (Dunodin), Rov. T. Jolly, M.A. (Pal- ; meretou North), Rev. J. M'Kcnzie, M.A. I (Ohnstchurchj, Eev. J. Paterson (Welling- ■ ton), Messrs W. H. Rose (Oamaru), James ■ M'Kcrrow and J. G. W. Aitlcon, M.H.R. i I Wellington). Anglican: Tho Bishop of ■ \Wiapu, Dean Harper (Christehurcli), Revs. 1 J. Campbell (Christchurch), T. H. Sprot-t, > M.A. (Wellington), C. C. Harper, M.A. (Pal- ■ moreton. North). Methodist: Revs. W. C. ' Oliver (Wellington), J. A. Luxford (Lyttelton), H, Bull, Messrs 0. S. Howard and J. A. Fiosher (Christchurch'). Primitive : Methodist: llov. J. Dawson and Mr 0. M. ' Luko (Wellington). Congregational: Revs. "• R. Glasson, R. R. Thomas, and W. lawman Hall (Wellington). Baptist: Revs. Charles Dallaston (Wellington) and R. S. way (Christohurch). Church of Christ: Mr W. M. Green (Dunedin). Bible-in-Schools Associations: Auckland—Revs. Gray Dixon, M.A., and W. E. Gillon; Wellington-Pro-fessor Eosterfiold and Mr E. Brown. Apologies for absence were received from tho Bishop of Nelson and Mr Bevan Brown. , The Rev. Dr Gibb reviewed the proceedings which had led to the holding of tho conference. He reminded delegates of tho strong agitation of a few months ago throughout, tho colony in favour of the adoption of » system of Bible-teaching in our State schools. All the churches of the colony except the Roman Catholic Church had shown approval of that agitation, and gave ovidenco that they were in favour of action being taken for seeming Bible-reading or Bible-teaching in schools. Associations for furthering tho movement had boon formed in various parts of the colony, and in some districts a plebiscite upon the subject had been taken by associations. The generallyapproved platform was that somo system should be devised whereby there would bo tho repetition of tho Lord's Prayer and Scripture reading,? from an approved textbook, wi(;h a conscience clause for the children of those parents who did not wish to tn!« advantage of tho system. In Otago plebiscites had been extremely successful, tliero Jioing in ono case n majority of lew than 5 to 1 in favour of Bible-teaching, and in somo cases the majority was 30 to 1. Ho felt arsurod that a referendum of the colony on this subject would five an overwhelming (majority in favour of tho proposal. Ho had written to the churches and clergy of tho colony suggesting a national conference, and tho present gathering was tho result. The conferonco directly represented the churcho.o, hut ho was pleased to seo and welcome deloeates from Biblc-tcaehing Associations. Tho primary busineS of tho conferonco was to consider tho question of a toxt-book which would ho suitable for uso in our schools. Tho Presbyterian Assembly had approved of the Victorian echeme of Scripture instruction in schools, hut the_ Presbyterian, delegates wero left with their hands as free as other delegates. Tho conference should cither adopt the Victorian schema, modify if, or formulate a new scheme. Having come to a decision, it should then take its scheme to tho Premier, and, in tho namn of the churches, ask the Government, through Mr Seddon, to adopt it.—(Hoar, hear, and applause.) Dr Gibb was elected chairman of the conference and Mr Fler-chcr secretary. It was decided that, as a. great deal'of tho work of flic conference will ho done in committee tho press should bo excluded. Tho most important resolution parsed at the conference to-day was—"That tho conference proceed to consider tho Victorian fclwmoas simplying a basis for a tert-book of Scriptural lessons." A committoo of the conference mot in the evening- to consider _ the form in which tlw referendum nucstion should be submitted to the people. A number of points requiring settlement heforo the denization waits on tho Premier wore also discussed. • I