BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18809, 3 December 1932, Page 3

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

HON. L. M. ISITT’S VIEWS ADDRESB AT BISHOPSOOURT. At the Invitation of Mrs WestWatson, a drawing-room meeting was held at Bishopscourt, Christchurch, when a large gathering of womenfolk was addressed hy the Hon. L. M. Isitt upon the Bible-in-Schools question. Mrs West-Watson, in introducing the speaker, said that many people might consider that the defeat of the BJble-In-Schools Bill meant a rest for the movement; but it was in reality the time to show people that the supporters were neither disheartened nor discouraged, but only more eager to gain the last few steps ,of the ground which would place them at their goal. “ During the past .five months 1 have lectured and talked considerably on the Bible-in-SchooLs affairs. And yet I have never been more eager nor more in sympathy with my subject, nor had a deeper sense of the all-im-portance of this movement,” said .Mr Isitt. “It seems to' me the most important question of the day, this question of ending the wretched school system.” Foundation for Character. Religious teaching was the one foundation on which character was gained and commercial probity established to the prosperity of the country. There was no other way to bring lasting good to the people than by basing efforts on a religious foundation. “ The present system has been in vogue for 55 years," said the speaker, “and now there are, at the lowest computation, 200,000 people in ignorance of the most simple truths of religion. No matter how carefully trained your own child may be he has eventually to go into a world which is becoming more grossly materialistic; more contemptuous and scornful for • all religious matters; full of people with no sense of responsibility to God.”

J If young people associated with > those who did not practise restraint J the environment was bad. They were ) asking for this Bill for the child-life ! of the Dominion. The Bill was the ) most simple measure that could be ; devised, approved in Protestant J churches and supported by Archbishop > O'Shea, of the Roman Catholic J Church. It had been drawn up by Mr > John Studholme on the English system. | 41 How can you leave it to parents to i teach what they have not learned | themselves?” asked the speaker. It i has been raised as an objection that j teachers unwilling lo give religious ini struction, would be forced to do so. [ This Bill asked, however, that teachers I who wanted to give such instruction 1 should have the right; and that no teacher be called upon to take part unless he desired it. “ Without being egotistical, I can say that I have never heard an objection raised which amounts to the dignity of a reason,” said Mr Isitt. “ Some 55 years ago they were saying that such teaching in the schools would lead to sectarian strife; yet it has been taught among older pupils without strife worth mentioning. Former Ministers of Education have known this. And yet a certain man with academic honours would still have us believe that in those theological fanatics of live to 13 years old we would rekindle the tires of SmithHeld and prepare the world for the sanguinary religious conflicts of bygone times I” Objections Replied To. Referring to various objections continually raised against the movement, the speaker dealt, with that which suggested that it was not the province of the Stale to tench religion. “ But is if the right of any State to I lake, mailers of education into control, and establish a system not only banning Hible-teactiing to primary schools, but wiping out hundreds of small schools in which children arc J receiving secular and religious instruction and closing every avenue to religions instruction?” lie askod. A fact, which had struck Him freshly only that morning was that whenever Christ had met a woman He had succeeded in winning her devotion and love. This was a work for women, added the speaker. " 1 am here In appeal to you |o do your part in ending an evil system. I want lo stir you to strong interest, and great power for children robbed In a purblind Government of the ! richest, greatest, heritage God gave to :

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anyone." He fell, sure that if a membership of 50,n0n or (hi.ooo could lie obtained for the league i! would impress M.l’.'s as to the general souuort given the movement.