BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18803, 5 March 1923, Page 8

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

VIEWS OF METHODIST CONFERENCE. REQUESTS TO GOVERNMENT. A question that is evergreen at meetings of religious bodies came before the Methodist Conference on Friday, when Mr J. C. Prudhoe moved a series of motions on the question. Having expressed his satisfaction that the various churches had reached a common ground on that matter, Air Prudhoe road a letter from the Prime Minister in answer to representations on the matter. The letter, which was written in November, 1922, expressed the feux that anything the writer might do would bo distorted and misrepresented in tho heat of tho coming political fight. Ho suggested that the question should bo again brought to his notice during the recess. Mr Prudhoe had prefaced the reading of the letter with the statement that it would show “just where tho Government stood." Delegates could not see that it had done this. A Voice: It shows that they stand nowhere. Continuing, Mr Prudhoe said that ho had been repeatedly told by politicians and others to “wait until prohibition is carried, ’ when tho question had been raised. What should other matters have to do with the use of God’s Word in the schools? The attitude of the Church should be to stand by everything that made for high ideals, and they should force the Government to accede to their demands for Christian teachers. Mr Prudhoe considered that the adjective “secular” was being made a fetish. Ho went on to offer the opinion that the disloyalty which was so much in evidence at the present time would bo undermined by tho teaching of tho Bible to the children. Ho had heai-d of one man in the North Island who, at 22 years of ago, had not seen a. Bible. That was a very bad state of affairs, and one that was not likely tn encourage the observance of tho law. And the law must bo observed. A young Communists’ League had been formed in Australia. Was that in keeping with law? The Rev. P. Paris interjected to ask what, law was being referred to—the Biblical or tho country’s law. Mr Prudhoe; The country’s. Mr Paris: The country’s law and the Biblical law often conflict. Mr Prudhoe: Tho matter is one of opinion. Mr Paris: That’s just the point. When the second motion was read Mr Moses Ayrton remarked that there was a marked difference between Bible instruction and Bible reading. He considered that the people throughout tho country would not object to the introduction of the Bible to the schools as a literary study, if it was thought suitable, but wherever the sectarian issues influenced its interpretation tho intellectual section of the community would object. Mr Ayrton did not believe that anyone should say they had a Godless school system. If the Bible was burnt religion, which was interwoven into everyone’s soul, would not bo destroyed. The time for tho dinner adjournment having been reached, tho discussion was adjourned. in tho evening Mr Prudhoe continued to put his motions as follows, and they were passed without dissent: 1. The Conference learns with satisfaction that tho Prim© Minister is favourable to the plan agreed upon [by the Conference of Churches], but regrets that he has not seen his way to state the intention of the Government regarding the passing of tho legislation desired. 2. iho Conference would draw attention to the statement of policy, to which publicity was given in October last, announcing that the Government stood for “maintaining the approved principle of free, secular, and compulsory education.’’ In the opinion of Conference that pronouncement is calculated to convoy to the public mind the impression that it was not intended to make any change in the law which provides that tho teaching shall bo entirely of a secular character. 3. The Conference is of the opinion that tho Government should be urged to reconsider its policy, and to make such changes therein as will justify it in introducing legislation that will definitely unseculanso tho education system by repealing the secular provision; and that will provide for the introduction of tho Conference of churches’ plan of Bible instruction in the primary schools. 4. That in tho event of a fresh pariiarneniary election being held, the United Conference bo urged to take stops to place before all candidates individually particulars of tho alterations desired in the Education Act, and to ask each ono whether be is prepared to support the passing of the legislation necessary to give effect thereto. 5. The Conference would direct attention to a pamphlet entitled “Loyalty to tire Law,"’ written by Mr J. C. Prudhoe,, in which it is stated that certain religious practices had been permitted in. primary schools.in contravention .of .the law. 6. The Conference also directs attention to the Imperial instructions that accompanied the Royal Charter in 1840 granting constitutional government to Now Zealand. According to Hight and Bamford’s Constitutional History, the well-being of the Natives was recommended to the Governor’s particular care. He was bidden to the utmost of his power to promote religion and education amongst them, and especially to protect (hem in their persons, and in the free enjoyment of their possessions; by all lawful means to prevent and restrain all violence and injustice that might in any manner bo practised against them; and to take such measures as might appear necessary for their conversion to the Christian faith and for their advancement in civilisation. Tho Conference deems it desirable that inquiry be made as to whether, in order to carry out those instructions, tbe Government should be requested to alter tho regulations governing Native schools so as to provide for Bible reading or some other form of nnsoctarian religious instruction in those schools.

7. That a copy of those resolutions be forwarded to the secretary of the United Conference with a request that they be submitted to members of that Conference, for consideration at a farther meeting to bo called at the earliest possible date; and that the United Conference be recommended to appoint a deputation to wait upon the Crime Minister publicly, and make the necessary representations on the subject. In the event of it being found impracticable to hold a mooting of the United Conference, the opinion of its members to be obtained, and the appointment of the deputation to be arranged, by correspondence. 8. The following committee is appointed to consider all matters relating to (ho Bible-in-schools question, including those referred to in resolutions 5 and 5, and it Is authorised to fake such action .as it may deem desirable:—The Revs. W. B,lumber, E. D. Patcbett, S. Lawry, 11. Ryan, A. H. Eowlos, J. liana's, and (the Durham Street minister) Messrs L. M. Isitt, M.P., J. A. Flesher, E. O. Brown, A. F. Drayton, F. ffhejrpard Green, A. A. Snndford, and J. C. Prndhoo (convener), Mr Purdoe mentioned that (he term “instruction” had been used, but it was used in a wide sense. EVENING SESSION. Obituary notices of the following deceased ministers were read;—Revs. William C- Oliver (Christchurch), William 11. Beck (Wellington), Lewis Hudson (Auckland), and Mr J. C. Yorko, home missionary, Wanganui. Several delegates spoke oulogistically of the departed. Rev. W. Ready extended an invitation on behalf of the Durham Street Church, Christchurch, trustees to hold the next Conference there in 1925. Fifty years ago the first Conference had boon held at the Durham Street Church.—Accepted. PERSONAL. The following ministers were appointed supernumeraries: —Revs. Joseph Ji. Sinimonds, George Clement. Thomas A. Joughin, James G. Chapman, James Cooker, James It. Clark (for another year), Arthur Harding, IV. A. Wat-on (for one yoarj. Delegates spoke in sympathetic and appreciative terms regarding these ministers forced by age or ill-heulth to relinquish active oliice. It was reported that the Rev. F. W. Boys had retired voluntarily. The Rev. W. A. Sinclair was granted permission to rest next year and to visit England, arrangements tor supply to ho made with the Beard of Missions,' Similar permission was granted to the Rev. A. M. Costain. ORPHANAGES. It was decided to change the name of (he Auckland Orphanage from “North Island Orphanage” to ••.Mount Albert Methodist Orphanage.” The balance sheet of the JMasterton Children's Home showed that there wits a credit balance of £624, the surplus of a.ssets being £159 2s 8d; that of the Mount Albert Orphanage that there wns a credit balance of £927 16a 7d; that of the South Island Orphanage that the receipts exceeded the expenditure by £SOB. —Adopted, —The Conference extended its thanks to those responsible for the successful management of the orphanages.

THE TONGAN CHURCH. The following statement containing a resolution, passed in committee in the morning was handed to the press: That this Conference! sends hearty greeting to the Methodist Church in Tonga and expresses its gratification at learning from tho Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt of its welfare. It acknowledges with thankfulness the generous help given lo onr work in the Solomon Islands by tho gift of devoted Tongan teachers whose zeal and selfsacrifice have won onr sincere admiration. The Conference tenders its deep sympathy to the relatives of such of oar Tongan teachers ai> have laid down their lives in the work in our Solomon Islands fields. It recognises also how strong are the traditional ties uniting Tonga to the dominion, and trusts that under iho divine blessing onr fellowship in life and .service may become increasingly marked. It prays that abounding spiritual prosperity may rest upon tho Methodist Church in Tonga, and also upon tho Free Church of Tonga, and trusts that in God's good Providence the ties ma.y be drawn closer that knit those churches to each other and to ourselves. A similar resolution of greeting and goodwill was adopted and directed to bo forwarded to the Free Church of Tonga, and the Conference also resolved that a letter of greeting be sent to tho Queen of Tonga, who is at present visiting Auckland. The Conference placed on record its appreciation of the service rendered by the Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt through his visit to Tonga and accorded him hearty thanks for his services and for tho interesting and valuable report he had presented to tho Conference. The Conference adjourned at 9.45 till 9 a.m. next day.