BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12881, 1 May 1913, Page 3

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

To. the Editor

Sir. —I noXicc a paragraph in this morning'?; issue, under above title, bearing sub-title, "Unanimously endorsed by Christ Church parishioners." Now this might convoy the idea to many people, that it represented, practically, the opinion of the Anglican body of Wanganui, which is certainly not' tho case, as I have been assured by many adherents of that church that they aro totally opposed to this movement. Moreover, Mr. D'Arcy demonstrated at the same meeting, that the Anglicans in Wanganui numbered 6720. and although he admitted that a largo proportion of these do not attend the church it would bo well, for the purpose* of our enquiry, to know what proportion of this 6720 were present at the above meetings. Was it as much as five per cent? Those pi-esent were evidently close followers of the ministor, or vicar in this case, and this is

what has occurred elsewjhcre. The minister and his immediate following aro resnonsiblc for resolutions whicti apparently represent the whole church, while as a matter- of fact the bulk of their congregations avo either indifferent or opposed to tho movement. This despite the fact that a strenuous hour>o-to-house -canvass is being made by women, to influence women; the latest mot hod of a church which is losing its hold on the male portion of its cougrporrttions. The people of this Dominion will make a grievous mistake if they allow the present, system or education to l;o tamnered with, for it is impossible that this State can teach any form of religion that will bo ncceniablo to the whole community, and, whilo this is the case, it would inflict an injustice upon those •opposed to it. if it attempted to do so, I r.m, etc.,

"REFORMER."