THE BIBLE IN STATE SCHOOLS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15736, 12 April 1913, Page 10

THE BIBLE IN STATE SCHOOLS.

WOMEN'S BRANCH OF THE LEAGUE. A largely-attended meeting of the women's branch of the Bible-in-Statc-Schools League was held on Thursday afternoon in tine Octagon Hall. Mrs Gray Dixon presided, and opened the meeting with prayer and the reading of a portion of . ocripture. A letter was read from tho general secrc' tary of the men's branch inviting delegates from the Women's Committee to confer with them. It was thought to bo in the interests of tho work to cio so, and it was decided to send six representatives-viz., Mi's Dixon (president), Mies D. Allen (treasurer), Sister Michelle (country secretary), Mrs R. Allan (general secrctarv), Miss E. Rutherford (electoral scoretarv), and Mrs R. Booth'(press secretary). Sister Michelle reported that she Jiad visited several towns and had since received letters which said that the work would be taken up and carried through. At Mosgiel. a meeting had been held in the Methodist Guild Room, and ladies present promised tb do all in their power to forward . the cause. The Salvation Army also agreed to work heartily for the same object. The .Anglican Church would . co-opcrato with the other churches. It wou.'d bo necessary to deputationise country districts. Milton had invited a speaker to visit and explain tho objects of the league. It was proposed by Miss E. Rutherford, seconded by Mies Kelsey, that the country secretary be a deputation tb visit and' organiso country districts, an itinerary to be drawn i:p. Ladies visiting in tho country were invited to help in this work. Miss Kelsey reported having done a great deal of individual work, which she hoped would result in much good. The electoral secretary (Miss E. Rutherford) read the reports of several workers. In South Duncdin the work of distributing literature and obtaining signatures had steadily progressed. Much interest had been aroused, and many persons had themselves returned signed cards, not/waiting for them to be called for. Mrs Wilson (the Mayoress). had promised to give a com tea at the St. C!air pavilion.

The Rev. R. E. Davies attended to explain the Nelson_ tiliat all'might understand the points of difference between it and the plattorm of tho Biblc-in-Schoola League. This was the more necessary us the Nelson system had been .brought forward in opposition to the New South Wales system, this boing regarded as a re-' markablo' thing, as tho New South Wales system included tho Nelson system. The latter system was at present practised in about one-fourth of tho sdhpols in New Zealand.

Mr Davies was asked if it was true that the teachers in the New South Wales schools were limited in their action in religious and social matters, and replied that there had been an old regulation which forbade teachers becoming lay readers or local preachers; but even that had now been withdrawn, and their actions in all suoh questions left perfectly the only rccpiest now made was that they should abstain from any action which might bring the 6ohool into disrepute. They had no need to fear they were wrong. Th.ey were standing absolutely on the rook of' truth. Rather than cause denominatioialism it brought all closer together. The head master of one of tho finest schools had said to him:' "This system is one of tho best.. It helps to raise the tono of the school, and makc6 it easier to teach."

Mrs Dixon said thoy wero all indebted.to Mr Davios lor his lucid explanation. "We are sure of our ground, and are going in to win."