BIBLE IN SCHOOLS MOVEMENT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 13 December 1912, Page 8

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS MOVEMENT.

CANON GARLAND AT ARAMOHO

The Rev. Canon Garland, organising secretary of the Bible in State Schools

League, arrived in Wanganui yesterday from Marton. He was met a.t the. railway sta,tion by a number of prominent

depresentatives of different denomina-

tions, who accompanied him to luncheon at the Burlington Dining Rooms, where he was officially welcomed to Waniganui on bebalf of the local ibranch of the League. Canon Garland apoke a,* few-words of encouragement to those> who were present, in connection with the f artherance of the campaign in this district. In the evening a meeting was held in the Methodist Schoolroom at Ara.moho, the Rev W. B. Scott presiding over a large audience. After iprayer by the Rev. D. 'Qallder, and a lesson read the. Queensland Scripture TextBook by the Rev J. Walker, the Chairman made a few introductory remiarfe, describing^, himself as a T€ioent convert, but now a whole-hearted suppporter of the movement. Canon 'Garland stated that the proposals of the League were being put forward by a 00-mbination of the Anglican, Presibyterian and Methodist- Churches, with the Salvation Army, supported by individual members of other denominations. Those proposals include 'the reading 'by the children in State schools lof lessons firom >a Scripture a'eadinghook, 'to be issued by the Education Department, under -the supertvision of the teachers, who were not to ibe asked'

to give .religious teaching of any_- kind, _but would treat theso lessons in the same way as lessons from any other reading 'book. In addition to this, definiteTeligious teaching would (be given j by ministera of religion or their laccreI dited representatives" during school hours, (to instruct the children in. the faith of their fathers. The conscience clause giving the parent the right to withdraw has child from either the readl--ing lessons or the religious instruction, is, the Canon declared, the key to I?he whole situation. N,ot the State, nor the i Chunch, but the .paront only has the right to control the religious instruction of his child. Under our (present system the State interferes with thafr right in the case of the majority, while ,iE assures it to a small minority. This movement aims at giving it /to the majority without withdrawing from the minority what they at present possess. It might he asked 'whether such ia system would work. The most conclusive answer to that queistion is that it 'has worked for nearly half a century in New South Wales and Tasmania, and is now working also in Western Australia, Norfolk Island and Queensland, the universal testimony of teachers and inspectors, as well as members of *he Governments of those States, ibeing to -the effect that it gives satisfaction to the people, and causes no friction. Derailing with some of the objections urged, Canon Giarland said that instead of endangering the national system, the result of the""- successful campaign in Queensland was that when the system "becsama law, the Bible in (State Schools League in tfhiat State formed itself into a League for the defence of the national system of education. If it is true that the school curriculmn is already. I overcrowded, this League will have fulfilled a useful function in calling attention -to that fact; and it will be worth iwhjle taking something but to make room for the Bible. Statemeßta had been made that, the teachers, of Now Zealand cannot, be trusted ito give the lessons, but these statements are not made .'by the League, but ibyits opponents. The League is prepared absolutely to trust the teachers. That one jbook_only, the- Bible, should :be prohilbi-i ted m ousr national schools, and one sulbjeot only,, .the Christian .reilig.ion, should be fonbidden, is opposed to tihe Christian sentiment of a Cliristian country, and contrary to the priaxcipiles of the , British iConstitution.

In -answer to an objecfaon a-a-iseid iagainst one of Canon Garland's statements, the Rev B. Calder said that he had been told 'by a, prominent educationalist that he knew-the ieiaidhers of •New Zealand, and that they, were not to be trueted, but such opinions are ©mpbatically repudiated by the 'Bible in ■Schools" League. ' • -At-the-Close of Canon Garla.nd's iaddresa -a numiber of persons signified their adherence to the programime of the League. A hea,rty vote of thanks t6

Canon Garland was pasECd, on the molion of Mr Whitlock. seconded by Mr George -Scott, and the meeting closed with prayer by 'Mr W- T. Grundy. Canon Ga.rfend speaks in St. Paul's Hall at three o'clock this afternoon, and also at eiight o'clock this evening, the afternoon meeting being for women only. ' -* r