Bible in State Schools.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume III, Issue 4, 1 October 1912, Page 46

Bible m State Schools.

The report of the Department of Public Instruction . for Queensland was presented to both Houses of Parliament this month. On the subject of Religious Instruction m State Schools, it shows that visits are paid by the following denominations : — Baptist Church, Church of Christ, Church of England, Congregational, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Salvation Army ; which Chvrches have under regular religious instruction throughout the State, nearly 27,000 children. The report shows that with'n the twelve months under review there was an increase of nearly 10,000 children coming under instruction from their Churches m the State Schools, an indication that the system has met with the approval of the Churches and parents. The Inspector-General of Schools makes the following statement m his special report to Parliament : — " The Bible Lesson Books prepared by the Department tor the use of the Queensland schools ha' e teen received with a general approval that augurs well for their future utility. In most distr'cts the introduction of these lessons, has met with no opposition, and the applications for exemption from attendance have been comparatively few. Teachers should understand that, just as m the employment of other leading books, they are at liberty to choose the lessons which commend themselves as most suitable, but they must keep for the Inspector's guidance a. list of the extracts read. Such explanation is to be given by the teacher as is necessary for the ordinary understanding of the lesson, but no attempt should be made to turn the lesson into a sermon, or into a discussion of dogmatic belief. The beauties of the language and the plain application of the simple moral lessons conveyeed m the extracts should be briefly dwelt upon. An earnest and common-sense effort should be made to render

these lessons to our children, as they have been to us and our forefathers, a source of inspiration alike m literary beauty and moral idea." . Mr. District Inspector Fox, m charge of a large country areaj states :— " Bible lessons were being given m most of the schools visited by me during the latter half of the year. I heard of no instance of dissension arising from their introduction m my district." ,