PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 19961, 15 December 1913, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

(Por Press • Association.) OHIIISTOHURCH, December 12. I The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand last evening, with a full house and at great | length, discussed the report of the com- ■ mittee on the Bible in State Schools League. A number of speakers emphaj sised the right of a Christian nation to /.'lace the Bible in the schools. The fundamental principle- of the R-eformation was to uphold; tho potency of the reading of the Scriptures. The following motion was proposed by Rev. R. E. Davies (Dunedin) and r>econded by Rev^-John Mackenzie (Christ-' church): —{1) Adopt the report; (2) continue the committee; (3) urg© ministers to give every facility to their congregations for the signing of cards; (4) reaffirm the demand for a referendum I (vide 8.8. 1912 par 55) and instruct | jtho eominifctee t» continue co-operation' I with the Bible in State Schools League :in again laying before the Government I the request of this Assembly for r>. vpj fere-udimi; (5) that on fi convenient Sabbath reference be made to the religious i f-ignificauoo of the movement, prayers offered for its success arid, where possible, a retiring collection be arranged ixTr the funds of the League.

Rev. A. Cameron moved and Dr. Envin seconded the following amendment: —"That this Assembly, while ndvioonfiing religious instruction in, the schools, objects utterly to laying the imposition of the duty of giving religious instruction on the teachers of tho primary schools, amd also to the introduction into our schools of denominational instruction with its decisive influence both on the religions mid social life of the people." On a division at 10.30 p.m.. the motion was agreed to by 132, only 18 voting for the amendment.