BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS DEMONSTRATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3111, 29 October 1913, Page 74

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS DEMONSTRATION.

THE TESTIMONY OF EXPERIENCE.”

While Burns Hull was not filled on the 24-th, when u public meeting was held in connection with the Biblc-in-schools movement, the attendance was not small. There were four speakers, and the particular matter to which they were advertised to address themselves was “ Objections Answered by tho Testimony of Experience,” though other phases of the Biblc-in-schoole question might bo introduced. The cliair was taken by Mr W. Burnett, who was supported on the stage by a large number of tho clergy. Over tho stage was suspended a banner bearing the inscription “The Bible for the Bairns.” Previous to the addresses being delivered the Rev. Mr Wood offered apologies for the absence of tho Rev. William Grant and Dean Fitchett, both of whom were to have spoken, but who were confined to their homes through illness. These places would be taken by the Rev. Mr Jamieson and the Rev. W. Gray Dixon. The Primate also sent an expression of regret at his inability to be present, as he was away from Dunedin. The Chairman said that as a Church of England man he was bound to advocate the having of the Bible in State schools, because tho Church of England was founded upon, the Bible and upon nothing else. The Rev. R. E Davies, who was the first • speaker, said that from returns that had come in there was no doubt that tho Presbyterian Church of New Zealand was generally heartily and earnestly supporting this great movement. —(Applause.) For seven years ho had visited one of the lowest schools in Sydney. He visited it almost every week, and taught about 250 children, and he wanted to know who took a record of his attendance. Statistics were not worth that (snapping his fingers). There was a book known as tho visitors’ book, which visiting clergymen were supposed to sign --week by week, and he remembered that book being lost for many weeks. There seemed t <f be no need for it. Ho contended that the Bishop of Auckland arrived at his position by the complete destruction of the present system of national education. He (the speaker) arrived at his conclusion by a complete support of the present national system of education. Those opposed to them were circulating statements which lie knew were not true. They were told that this system caused sectarian bitterness in the schools, and that statement was absolutely untrue. He challenged- their opponents to produce evidence of that fact. Neither did it disorganise the schools. Their opponents were making a cry as to liberty of conscience, but he (the speaker) knew of no case where anyone’s conscience had been trampled upon. Canon Garland, after referring to what had boon 'done during tho past 12 months towards attaining their object, quoted what had been said by Ministers of the Crown and from Government papers to show that the system had not resulted in the introduction of sectarian feeling in Australia. The Rev. Mr Gray Dixon said there was one point on the other side that might convince someone, and that was the contention that it was a fundamental principle that the State must bo neutral in the matter of religion. If it was, however, shown that the State could and should not be neutral in matters of re ligion, that argument vanished into thin air. He declared without hesitation that wo wore a Christian State.—(“ Hear hear. ) Our laws were based upon Christianity, and national education was necessarily based upon Christian principles. And yet it was » said that tho State must bo netural in matters of religion. But was our State neutral in such matters. —(No.) They were asking that tho State should remain neutral and allow people to follow what course they liked. It was the right of the people to have tho Bible road in schools, so that the State was not neutral. The Rev. Mr Jamieson, who said tliat he had had experience as a teacher in New . Zealand, spoke of his experiences in Australia, all of which went to show that however much fault might have been found with other systems and things, he heard no criticism directed against religious instruction in the schools. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr William Thomson asked a couple of questions, which, however, Canon Garland refused to answer on tho ground that the questions referred to matters not relevant to the business of the meeting. On the Rev. W. Slade moving a vote of thanks to the lady who presided at the piano and to tho speakers, Mr William Thomson expressed a wish to put forward an amendment. The chairman refused to accept an amendment, however, and the meeting closed. A meeting of the women’s branch of tho Bible,-in-»State-Schools League was held _ last week in tho Octagon Hall, Mrs Gray Dixon presiding. The sub-committee reported having disposed of a largo number of the “Thousand-guinea” cards. Miss Pughe road a very interesting account of an important meeting which had been held in Christchurch, where an increase of 20,000 signed cards in the last three months was reported.