BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144086, 3 May 1913, Page 6

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —What a pity it is that Mr. Elwin did not find out what the programme of the Bible-in-State Schools League really is before he rushed into print to criticise it. It is very simple, anti can be summed up into three clauses; yet, simple as it is, Mr. Elwin now acknowledges that of the second and most important clause he 'was hitherto in ignorance,” but “thought it was .something else. In order that ho may soon possess that complete knowledge which he now lacks, I will have forwarded to him as soon as possible a few instructive pamphlets which I hope may be of service to him. I also have no intention of entering into a controversy over this matter and do not propose troubling you again. 1 am not concerned to defend the policy of the league, but only to make plain what that policy is, but as Mr. Elwin apparently objects to my anonymity I would say that my reason for preserving it is that I am not out to advertise myself, nor do 1 think that a recital of the various offices I have held, whether in the church in South Canterbury or anywhere else, or in the seventies or at any other time, is of any interest to the general public. What I write may or may not he of consequence; who I am can be of no consequence at all. That no one else may fall into Mr. Elwin’s error and criticise the policy of the Bible-in-Schools League, without knowing what it is, 1 sura it up in as few words as possible as follows:—(1) Lessons read in school hours from Scripture books provided by the Education Department, the school teachers supervising the reading, tut not giving sectarian or dogmatic teaching ; (2) Lessons during school hours by ministers or accredited teachers from the churches, instructing the” children, in the faith of their Tethers; <3) conscience clause, by which pm cnf,:; may withdraw their children from either or both lessons.—l am, etc., H.S.B.S.S.L.