MORAL TRAINING AND THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12650, 30 April 1903, Page 4

MORAL TRAINING AND THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

TO TIIE EDITOR. Sin,—l do not wish to interfere between Mr MacGregor and the Rev. W. Saundcrs. 1 They aro both capable oontroversialiste, and may bo trusted to do their best. But I do ask permission to call attention to a inatter of fact on which Mr Saimders is evidonbly quite at fea. As to the platform on which the Wellington committee meet this week: "The reading of suitable selected passages of Scripture without' comment by the teachers; such comments as are wads being taken from a book, prepared by a. united committee of the ohurches, and intended only for the literary elucidation of the text." So Mr Saundere. And this last phrase, clearly describes his position, taken up some timei agOj but it oertainly does not drcoriba the position taken •up by the Rev. Dγ Gibb.

I»»t us recall the history. The original platform of the BjMe-inSchoels Association, as adopted by the Council of tho Ohurchce, was: "Bible-reading in the schools'without note or comment, together with tho Lord's prayer and a conscience clause." After this there was a, Bible-in-Sdiools Association fanned in Wellington,, which, under (he impulse of th« Anglioan bishop, Dγ Wallis, adopted an enlarged programme, which included " religious instruction," When this beoame known Dr Gibb moved the Council of the Churches to adopt the Wellington platform, and this was done.- But it proyoked some discussion as to its real meaning. In a newspaper interview Mr Sauuders reaffirmed his olaim for " literary and historical explanation only." But" Dr Gibb, in a letter to the press, affirmed: "It is oxpoctod that the lessons will be mado tho basis not merely of literary oxno.ution, but of ethical and religious truth "of a simple and elementary kind. The utmost care will be taken that, nothing is. introduced into tho lessons of'a sectarian character." After eome further confused discission, during which at ono time it seemed as though Dr Gibb. had come round to Mr Saundom, and then again had affirmed the "religiou3 inetruotion" platform, it has been definitely decided to ask for J , ethical and religious instruction" at least amounting to this: (1) That there is a God; (2) that Ho lias made known His Will, to mankind; (3) that monlity is ba<=ed upon the Revealed Will of God." And this they call "nondoctrinal religious instruction " ! Three are the lines upon which tho Wellington oommittee start their labours. Mr Sannders will' need to keep a phnrp look-nut, or ho will surely bo left in the lurch.—l. am, etc., • Duncdin, April 26. .T. T. Hijctox.