BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3102, 27 August 1913, Page 57

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 18. An emphatic protest was entered by Archdeacon Harper during the service at St. Peter’s Church yesterday against certain remarks made by members of the deputation which waited upon the Prime Minister asking him to allow a referendum lb be taken on the Bible-in-schools’ question. The Archdeacon said he desired to draw attention to a statement reported to have been made by Mr Atkinson that “It was Very singular that the forces working for the Bible-in schools’ movement were a • mixture of religious bigotry and political cant,” which remark had been endorsed by Mr John Caughiey. It should be realised by the supporters of the movement, said Archdeacon Harper, that the leaders of the Anti-Bible-in-schools’ crusade had accused tens of thousands .of Christians who were in favour of religious instruction of hypocrisy, insincerity, and bigotry solely because they were striving after a system of Bible teaching providing equal advantages for all classes of religious thought. The Archdeacon further added that the time had been reached when it was hoped by zeal and enthusiasm to secure religious instruction in schools. NEW PLYMOUTH. August 25. The Rev. P. W. Clarkson has just con*pleted a successful campaign in Taranaki in support of the Bible-in-Statc-Schools League. He gave a public lecture to-night, when the following resolution was unanimously carried: “That this meeting is in favour of the platform of the league and pledges itself to supiKjrt a demand for a referendum.” The Anglican and Presbyterian oongreg;u tions of New Plymouth yesterday stood at the end of their services as a protest against Mr Atkinson’s reported words; “That it was very singular • that the forces working for the Bible-in-schools movement were a mixture of religious bigotry and political cant.”