POLITICS AND RELIGION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13373, 6 May 1914, Page 7

POLITICS AND RELIGION.

LONG-WINDED RESOLUTION

(Special to Herald.)

DUNEDIN, this day

Politics and religion were mingled at yesterday's meeting of tho Dunedin Presbytery, to the discomfiture of the supporters of tho Bible m schools movement. The usual motion favoring a referendum on the question lutving been tabled by Professor Dickie, a bombshell unexpectedly came from the Rev. James Chisholm. Taking t!li» fioor the rev. gentleman said : "fcio far I have kept silent on this question. Others as well as myself have stood aside until it. has become a kind of reproach that we have done nothing to show reasons for oun.' opposition. Henco it seems to bo thought that we ha.ye no right to b<>. heard. I claim that right. 1 move as an amendment, 'Whereas, according to the divine order and the experience of the Church m every age, the home and th© family circle the first and by far the best' opportunity for bringing the children, to the feet of Christ that they may learn- of Him, and whereas tlve introduction, into tho State schools of selections from the Bible, to bo taught not as the Word of God, not as holy scripture able to make the children wise unto salvation through faith which is m Christ Jesus, but as a. manual of history, ■ literature, ■ and morals, is, from a Christian point of view, a, political device of very dombtful utility, this Presbytery regret that the attention and energies of th-e Church, should be largely diverted from what is primary and essential m the divine order, and directed to a, movement pimisly designed to male© up" from outside help for what she has failed to accomplish by her own, inherent power.' An attempt to get the amendment ruled out, on the ground that it was merely an expression of regret, having been overruled by the Moderator, the Rev. Mr Scorgie moved that 1 the Presbytery proceed to the next business, on the ground that an effort was being made to upset the policy of the Church. A vote' was taken, resulting on Mr Scorpio's motion being carried, and the iwholo questd.on was consequently shelved. Surprise was expressed that the Presbytery did not have the courage to take a test vote. _____