BIBLE IN-SCHOOLS LEAGUE.

White Ribbon, Volume 18, Issue 7, 1 August 1946, Page 1

BIBLE IN-SCHOOLS LEAGUE.

We beg to acknowledge the receipt of the Annual Report of the Bible-in-Schooi* League from Mrs. Paterson, our Dominion Superintendent of this department, with thanks. A synopsis of some of the vital parts of the report is also furnished through Mrs. Paterson, compet'd by the Rev. F. C. Long; and this L published herewith. NEW ZEALAND BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS LEAGUE. Retirement of the Rev. E. O. Blamires. Plans to Carry On. Phe Rev. E. O. Blamires is known from one end of New Zealand to the other. For the last IX years he has been Organising Secretary of the Biblc-in-Schools League and the great ad vance made by the League during that period has been due, under God, to his untiring and efficient efforts. In the course of his duties he travelled to ad parts of the Dominion, exhorting and encouraging workers, ascertaining and eventually supplying their needs, and at Headquarters his was the brain that watched and studied all political developments and ad\ised his committee on steps to be taken and also on all plans for the prosecution of the work. The result of his labours will he apparent when it is mentioned that at present there arc over HIM) primary schools where Religious Instruction is Riven and over 500 where daily religtous observances are held. This is a ercat achievement. All honour to one who has worked so faithfully and efficiently in a great cause. BUT WHAT OF THE FUTURE? There are still some XOO schools without religious activity. 800! And if die scholars in these average as low

as 10 each, that means 8000 children, the majority of whom do not know or hear anything of Jesus Christ. Eight thousand, if the average is 10. But the average is much higher, so the fact has to be faced that many thousands of children are yet unreached. The Executive of the League purposes to obtain as quickly as a suitable successor to M»\ Blannns. Meantime the central work is being carried on by an Actuig-Stcrc.ary, the Rev. F. C. Long, and the district work it is planned to entrust to District Organisers. For the moment part-time Organisers are sought. One has already been appointed for Dunedin. It is hoped to have others in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington in the near future. Their duties will he mainly extending and improving the “Nelson System." Such extension, together with the necessary cost of the Organisers, will imolve an increased Budget. Up to the present the cost of the League’s work has been borne by a small band of devoted friends, who

have given yearly sums, large or small, —all credit and sincerest thanks to ►hem. But now the League needs further support. It would be good to have a hand of “Friends of the Children" who would subscribe 5/- or more annually to this great work. Each brined to have a number. Who will he No. 1 ? Send in your name to the Secretary, Bilde-in-Schools League, G.P.O. Box 228, Wellington. Ibis Band could be in addition to those above mentioned who are already subscribing—or such could enrol themselves if they wished. The great thing is to remember two points: (1) This cause needs support; and (2) It is the work dear to the heart of the Saviour. He said: “Feed my lambs." And also: ‘lnasmuch as ye did it to one of the least of these, ve have done it unto Me.” \nd again : “Inasmuch as ye did it not ... ye did it not to Me.” How can we let His Lambs go without knowledge of Him? F. C. LONG, Acting-Secretary. lIIMMIIIMIMIIMIMMIMIIMMMMMMMMIMMMMIMMMMMUMIMMIQ