The Bible in Schools.

Southland Times, Issue 19184, 23 October 1903, Page 4

The Bible in Schools.

The Bishop of ilelbourno (Dr. Lowther Clarke), in the course of his address at the annual session of the Church of lingJand Assembly, held during the current month, made the following reference to the proclosal to introduce Bible teaching in State schools j — " 1 ask for your most serious attention to this great and important subject. Tho State of Victoria possesses an educational system which oh its secular side Is producing results of which everyone is justly proud. Kitherto it has lacked the sanctions and teaching of religion, with the result that the character of our citizens is beginning to display a lack of tho reverence and sonso of duty which can come alone from the training of the pupils from childhood upwards in the truths of Holy Scripture. 1 put it seriously to the consciences of everyone, if the.y can rest sutisiicd with the appalling fact that in a professedly Christian State children are growing up without so much as hearing of Christ, and with little or no training in school life of their spiritual faculties, and with the unconsciously imbibed opinion that religion forms no necessary part, of their equipment for life. We are seeking to remedy this, if by God's help we may be successful ; and I beg of you nil to give us the help of your prayers that we may not fail. Representatives of every important section of Christianity in the State, with the exception of the Roman Catholics, have combined to ask that the Bible may be taught in the schools. In the past politicians have demanded to know what it is proposed to teach, and now, with the exception of the Roman Catholics. we have all agreed to accept the excellent series of prayers, hymns and Scripture lessons unanimously recommended by the Royal Commission in 1900. There is nothing strange or unusual in drawing up portions of Scripture adapted for the special use of children. We do not mean that the Bible should be read without note or comment, but that Christian teachers should be entrusted with tho task of expounding the simpler portions Of Bible teaching. And as they would do it in the name of the whole State thnt they should introduce into Hieir tenehing nothing which seeks to detach children from, or attach them to, any particular section of the Church of Christ. In fairnes to everyone of us, this condition must be observed. There must be also a conscience clau.se for parents and teachers as well ; for we none Of us wish that the articles of our Holy Faith should be taught by men or women who do not believe the teaching which they give."