RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12771, 15 October 1919, Page 6

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.

CHURCH SCHOOLS DEFENDED.

Sectarian jealousy Teas stated by Bishop Julius at the Anglican Synod yesterday to he the reason why religious teaching had been driven out of tho State schools.

“Tho work of religious education in which we are engaged.” continued his Lordship, “cannot be regarded as outside our functions. In General Synod it was resolved—‘That this Synod, while renewing its declaration of adherence to the principles and aims of the Bible in State Schools League, recommends to Diocesan Synods the promoting of Church schools in all centres pf population.’ Our efforts are thus in line with the purpose and will of the Church. In respect of primary schools, we have raided the salaries of our teachers by 25 ner cent, and are now preparing a pension scheme. With the help of the Church Property Trustees we have secured a valuable school site in Ashburton. The Association of the Love of Gad has bv devoted effort raised a sum of more‘than £4OOO towards the building of n school at St Albans, and has further undertaken to raise the amount of interest require*! on deferred War Bonds. Mr Guthrio has most generouslv (riven his services freely in preparation of plans, and we nave further received valuable expert assistance from officers of tho Board of Education. Before another year is past I trust that wo shall have a fine school, of which none of ns need be ashamed, opened free of debt. “I am aware that this part of our work. 1 mean the promotion of Church schools, is regarded with somo disfavour even by Churchmen. Some think that we are interfering with the State system of education, and that our effort to establish Church primary schools is unnecessary, if not injurious. 1 recognise wholeheartedly the immense value of our State education. But it is far from perfect, and so long as it remains secular it neror can be perfect. Our Church schools arc supplementary and not antagonistic. We ask for no grants in aid, but, wanting facilities elsewhere, we desire to train up our children in the Faith, and to illustrate our meaning of the word education. Are we prepared to hand over Christ’s College to the Government? Christ’s College wps founded for the promotion of sound religious and useful learning. If then yc value the influence of religious training upon the hovs attending the grammar school, whose, parents, if they wish, can readily send them to a private school, why do we denv this same influence to children attending our Church primary schools whose parents have no option between those and the secular svstem of the Stat"P

“ There is one other difficulty which I must honestlv face, though with sorr> o reluctance. It is said that the whole educational policy of the dioce«o is in the hands of one nartv in the Church. Thus it is that 'ome who ourrht to know better stand aloof, and regard onr work with suspicion. I regret this deeply, for such an enterprise should he conducted with one heart and with one mind. It seems to matter nothing to such persons that facts are against them. The composition of the hoard does not warrant any such suspicion, its proceedings are absolutely free of party bias, and ouestions of this kind are never raised in respect of or ants or appointments. But it is said that a certain association which with great devotion hasciven valuable assistance to the hoard, in the building of one of its schools, is a pa-tv organisation. I have no Reason to think that this is trim, hut if it is. all honour to the oortv. those who differ form a like association, call it hv what name they will and show the like devotion. We shall thankfully accept tlioir aid. 11