BIBLE IN SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 4831, 8 May 1914, Page 4

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN.

DISCUSSED AT PAHIATUA. OPPOSED BY TEACHERS. The question of Bible-in-SchooLs was discussed at the annual meeting or householders in Pahiatua last evening. Mr J. P. Findlay, stated that they were hearing a good deal on the subject just now, and he asked whether the meeting that evening would be in order in passing a resolution in favour of or against Bible-leading in schools. Air Findlay mentioned the agitation for a referendum on the question. The Chairman said that some three years ago the committee was asked by the Bible-in-Schools League if it was in favour of a referendum. On a division there was just a majority in favour of the proposal. He did not know if even there was a majority of people in New Zealand in favour of a referendum, a great many people being opposed to it. Mr AL H. Biggs related the experience of one of the Wellington School Committees on the matter of scripture lessons, which after giving it a good trial, came to the conclusion that it was better to leave the thing alone, as it mixed up one religion with another. AL- 1\ . A\ bite-,Scott, assistant-mas-ter at the Pahiatua Public .School, held that the meeting of householders afforded an excellent opportunity for committeemen, parents and teachers to discuss the subject. He thought some expression of opinion should be given. Speaking as a member of the teaching staff, and as having had considerable experience of Bible in schools in other parts, he said that it would f>e an absolute crime to introduce the Bible into the schools. No man worthy of the name of a teacher would fail to bring the children up morally, and instruct them to lead a straight, clean and moral life. The introduction of the Bible would be the thin end of the wedge for denominational teaching. He stated that he had been a school teacher in Ireland, and the present conflict in that oountrv resolved itself into a question of Protestautism versus Roman Catholicism, the speaker defended the fine free secular system of education in New Zealand. Air J. Thomas, headmaster of the school referred to tlie attitude of the Rev. J. Chisholm, one of the oldest and staunchest Presbyterian ministers at the Dunedin Presbytery, in opposing the Bihle-in-Scliools League’s scheme. Afr Thomas stated that lie had Bible lessons when he went to school. flic strongest recollection he kr.d was of the names of “those old Jews, in the Book of Genesis. He could rattle them off by the hundred and could pass an examination in them now. Air Thomas said his experience was that no religious quarrels occurred under the present secular system, and pointed out that no persecution, no brutality, w;is like that of religions persecution, and lie referred to the condition of certain Roman Catholic countries, including Italy, Spain and Russia. Air Biggs suggested letting the subject drop, and Air E. P. Badger instanced the working of the Bihle-in-Scliools system in West Australia, which was on somewhat different lines to that proposed hv the Bible-in-Schools l.eague in New Zealand. I he Chairman said he lufd given on opportunity for discussion on fhe subject, but did not think the meeting Mas large enough lor an authorative resolution to he carried. The discussion then closed.