Bible Teaching in State Schools.

Waiapu Church Times, Volume I, Issue 5, 1 November 1907, Page 13

Bible Teaching in State Schools.

This subject, -which has been discussed again and again in past Synods, was once more referred to at the recent Synod, and also at a meeting of the clergy alone. There cannot be any subject of more importance to the future of the Church, for the present efforts to train the young in the principles of religion, whether in Sunday School or elsewhere, are generally felt to be hopelessly insufficient. The time for moro energetic action has certainly come. We have waited 30 years in the hope that the State would listen to the appeals that have been made and give, greater facilities for religious teaching, but

we have waited in vain and seem no nearer than we were at the beginning. We must now take some vigorous steps ourselves if we are not to lose more ground than we have lost already and make the task of the next generation considerably harder. Other religious bodies are feeling this and are moving in the matter and the Church which has in the past taken the lead in educational matters must do her full share of the work. It is useless waiting for some system or scheme which we may think the best one, while we neglect to do what is both feasible and sure to yield practical results. The plan tried in many places of giving an extra half hour over and above the regular school hours, for such children as may choose to come, has been tried and found in most cases quite unsatisfactory. But a better plan is being tried in several places and with very considerable success. The Act stipulates that there shall be at least four hours secular instruction in the day. As in most schools 4$ or 5 hours are given ; it is quite competent for a committee on one or more days in the week to start the secular work half an hour later than the usual hour and grant the use of that half hour for religious teaching if it is applied for. The ministers of religion should certainly combine for this purpose, if it is to be effectively done, and the teaching should be of a non-sectarian character, not in the sense of being merely negative teaching, but dealing with those positive and fundamental truths which the various religious bodies have undoubtedly in common. Competent teachers should be secured to assist tho ministers so that there is a full staff, and the attendance should be as prompt and regular as that of the State teachers. It is much wiser not to ask the State teachers to give the instruction, as it gives rise to a suspicion on the part of the teaching profession that religious tests for teachers should bo introduced into our educational systeni. For those who wish to start Bible classes in the schools of their districts the following suggestions 'sare offered : — 1. Find out if the School Committee are willing to start the ordinary secular work half an hour later on one day in the week, and to .grant the use of the schools for that half hour to voluntary teachers for a Bible lesson. If the members refuse then nominate other members who are favorable at the next election. 2. Get the ministers of other religious bodies to combine and form an association of voluntary teachers ready to give Bible instruction. Make rules and draw up a syllabus of lessons.

3. Send circulars to every parent asking them to sign "Yes" or "■ No " whether they wish their children to attend the proposed class. 4, Consult with State teachers and secure their co-operation for the purpose of maintaining discipline, which they can do without compromising themselves. There is no reason why Bible teaching should not be given in every State school in the Diocese in course of time, and in many districts the available teaching material must be there only waiting to ■be used. About 1.000 children are attending these weekly classes in the town of Nelson, and in Gisborne where the scheme has been started this year in the. town and two suburban schools there are about 800?children on the roll. F.W.C.