BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9991, 5 March 1904, Page 4

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

At yesterday afternoon's meeting m Wesley schoolroom there was a moderate attendance. The chair was taken by Mr W. Smith. The Rev. F. J. Tylee gave an address on the practical method of obtaining authority for the introducing of the Bible mto our public schools. He pointed out the great necessity that existed for the introduction of. the teaching of the Bible; that a generation had grown up, and was still growing up, m utter ignorance of the immense value which there is m the precepts contained m tfuit wonderful book. He was thankful he hud been taught it m his youth; it was to be a light to our path and a lamp to our feet to guide us m our earthly lives. Mr A. Graham referred to the fact of plebiscites having been taken m different parts of the colony on this subject, and they all manifested that the people, by very large majorities, have come to the conclusion that our present system of cxc udmg the Bible was a mistaken one; that it was time that portions of tho reading should be included m the teachjng of our public schools. Members of the Legislature and ex-members liad come to the conclusion, if we want a really happy and prosperous community, tlie teaching o f the Bible was necessary. ■He moved the following resolution.: — •lhat this meeting views with alarm the growing Godlessness and irreligion amonc the peopJe of this country, and is of opinion that the best remedy is to have the Bible remtroduced into our public schools; and resolves that it be an instruction to the committee of the Gisborne Auxiliary to watch for opportunities of co-operating with other societies throughout the colony who are endeavoring to have the will of the people m this direction carried into effect: 1 ' The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Stafford supported, and spoke strongly on the necessity of such a step being taken by the Government without /' -.Sf consid ered it a most pressing need When the plebiscite was taken m this district the result was 600 m favor and 50 against, and similar results occurred elsewhere. Mr Peckover dwelt on very sad evidences that had come under his notice *Ji . !S noran ce of '.our young people of the high moral and religious teaching which emanated from the Bible; that where no instruction had been given m I these important principles, and the mind was a blank, we could not look reasonably for a high standard of rectitude and truthfulness between man and man. Mr Isaac pointed out the notoriously evil effects that had been manifested m .the colony of Victoria by the rigid exclusion from their school curriculum of the subject of the Bible teaching, and as a young colonial, he felt our young people were being deprived of great blessings through the exclusion of the Bible The Rev. Tylee enlarged upon his previous remarks, and hoped the public conscience would be aroused to a sense of individual responsibility m this matter. Ihe Chairman expressed his unity with the remarks- tliat had been made.