THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS: THE NEW SOUTH WALES SYSTEM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15608, 11 November 1912, Page 2

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS: THE NEW SOUTH WALES SYSTEM.

TO TIIK EDITOR.

Sin,—Tlio Rev. A. Don has neglected tho main point in my letter—viz., that in training pupils in honesty and truthfulness tho teachor must lie truthful and honest with them Under Iho conditions imposed in Now South Wales it. seemed to nie impossible for many teachers to do this, ar.d I gave a few examples of the " truths " contained in Iho Irish tMt-books. It is unimportant whether the dates are those of Usher or oi another, whether they are in parentheses or not; tlio vital question is, Aro they two! The (ante remark apply to the other statements. Yonr correspondent seems to ha\e a sovereign specific in such cases. Ho says: " I havo read sufficiently to know that tlio sciences are sti'.l very far from having said tho last word on tho subject. And until the last word has been said inero theories do not disprove anything." Theories, of oourso, prove or disprovo nothing; facts provo or disprove theories Tho fact that historical evidence shows that peoplo existed 011 tho earth over 6000 years ago surely proves that tlio earth was not created in 4004 n.c. Tho sword the reverend gentleman holds is two-t'dgud, as he may now be aware. Tho lust word lias certainly not been raid on tho _ religious question, and tho theories of Christianity wo must therefore believe arc no mors worthy of acoeptanoo tlian those of Mohammedanism. Confucittsism, etc. 0110 might ponder, then, tho utility or futility of missions to tho heathen. Who are the heathen? It is obvious that any form of error could hido itself bohind the screen your correspondent ha 6 raised. Tho modern theories of tho chomist Svcruld bo 110 hotter than tlioso of tlio alchemist; tho Ptolernaio and Copernican theories, the Darwinian theorv, and that of special creation aro nil enually worthy or unworthy of acceptance. This waiting for tho last word is a sorry business. If wo must wait for last words effort seems utelcss; dumbness would indeed bo hoavon.

My concern is more with tho truthfulness than with tho <lolicacv of minds, but perhaps Iho Rov. Mr Don may bo ablo to tell us whether it was truthfulness or delicacy that induced tho executive of tho Bible-in-Behools party in Wellington in 1904 toomit "tho miraculous conception" frointho suggested syllabus of Biblo lessons. A protest from tho Catholic authorities followed.

It appears that ' valuable" was applied only to the notes of the text-book. I am glud Mr Don acquits 1110 of misrepresentation here, though 110 accuses me of general unfairness in my criticism. The note that endeavours to explain tho statement that "Ciod hardened Pharaoh's heart" is a good example of casuistry, but an exhibition of little honesty

It way be that I do not understand Iho moaning of " non-sectarian," but I am willing to learn. Olio of tlio questions was, ' What will bofall tlioso who reject it (Iho new or Christian covenant)? Bishop Crossley, of Auckland, ttccntly gave us his views on this matter. I eeem to remember, too, that 601110 years ago a pamphlet called "Tho Reign of Grace " expressed views tliat tho Presbyterian Church resented. In Wellington, about JI year ago, one of tho nonconformist bodies conducted a " heresy hunt" on this very topic, and camo to a decision that was vehemently opposed bv a Minister of tho Presbyterian Church. The Catholio doctrine of purgatorv is well known. Aro wo to understand that all views aro now equally acceptable to all tho sects? The same verbal answer to the question might nn doubt bo given, but I would remind your correspondent that it is the letter that killeth the spirit that maketh alive.—l am, e(c - . „ T TltOS. A. lIUKTL'B. St. Clair. November 10. '