THE BIBLE IN STATE SCHOOLS

Otago Witness, Issue 3168, 2 December 1914, Page 10

THE BIBLE IN STATE SCHOOLS

REMARKS BY BISHOP JULIUS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, November 24. Speaking at the annual meeting of the Canterbury branch of the Alothers’ Union this afternoon, Bishop Julius referred to the elections and the Bible-in-schools question. His lordship said they knew how essential it was that their children should receive religious instruction in schools. Unless that matter was put in the forefront they would never get it. They were told that it was very wrong to take one particular thing and put it in the front, and that they ought to put party in front. He did not care two straws for party. He did not ask them to vote for a man who ought not to be in Parliament —a man of bad character—not even if he supported the Bible-in-schools. They desired to see a Parliament of good men, of honest men, and of honourable men; but when it came to a question not of character but of party ,tben he said that New Zealand would not come to utter grief during the 12 months whether she had the Reform Party or the Opposition Party at the head of it, but it would make a very great difference indeed whether or not religious instruction was given in the schools. That was a question for generations to come, and if it were subordinated to any mortal thing on earth except character, tnen they would he praying for the Bible in schools and passing resolutions expressing their determination to help the movement forward when they reached 90 years of age and with the same amount of success as at present.