THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1285, 14 November 1911, Page 6

THE PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

JJIIiLE-IN-SCHOOLS QUESTION. (Hjr Tolcernnh.—l'rcsn Association.) Duncdin, November 13. Tho Presbyterian flcnerai Assembly dismissed Ui« lliblo-in-sehools question to-day, with special reference to the Nelson system and the Vow Smith Wales system. The Uible-in-Sehools Committee urged ministers and elders to do everything tc, introduce tho Nel.-on .system, which was working admirably in many schools without interfering with secular imtruclion. The liev. It. J. Porter in moving the adoption of the report urged the importance of the religious teaching of tho veiling (luring the week. At. present between 200 and ,WI classes wtTe in operation under tho Nelson sy-tem, between 9000 and 10,000 k.wons being given per year. A great deal more might have been dono if they had gone into tho matter with enthusiasm. He urged ministers and offie,!'-l>earers to sco if they could not establish at least some classes. The motion was seconded by Mr. \V. S. Fitzgerald. The, Itcv. Mr. Jackson (Southbridgej said he did not think ministers were doing their dutv in this matter. The liev. A. \Vhytc said he had, conic to the conclusion that most children knew little about the Bible, and a few knew nothing übont it More and better teaching was required on Sundays and week days. The report was adopted. The Rev. Jlr. Davies laid on the table tho report of the committee appointed to inquire into the New .South Walfts system, and said practically every Presbytery except Waiknto, Westland, and Taranaki, had reported in favour of the committee's report. There were diHicui, ties in pushing the system in every part of the Church, because it depended laigely on the attitude of tho education beards - . At present some of the most important boards refused absolutely to grant the neccssary permission. They wanted to let. the people decide whether the children should receive adequate religions instruction or not. He failed to sec how teachers could teach morality except on the basis cf the Christian religion. If the State could not take action the Church should consider whether it should not commenco a movement and establish schools of it.s own. There was every possibility of practical unanimity I amongst tho Protestant churches on tho matter, and if the a°sembly would pronounce in favour of the N?w South Wales system there was every possibility that a movement would bo set on foot that would settle the question definitely. He moved the adoption of the report that tho assembly approve generally of the New South Wales system; that the committee he empowered to negotiate with representatives of other religious denominations with a vi*w to bringing tho matter definitely before citizens. He also moved that the assembly urgo the Presbyteries to appoint local oomroittees to co-operate with tho representatives of other denominations in order to fester interest in the question and arouse public opinion in every part of the Dominion. Both motions were carried unanimously. The committee appointed to consider the question of baptism recommended: (1) That before administering the, ordinance the minister requires on the part of at least one parent a profession of faith in Christ and obedi-mee to Him. (2) As far as possible the administration of tho ordinance bo in public at the ordinaryjfliet of worship on the Lord's Day. (3) When tho ordinance is administered vu private an intimation of the time and place lie made from the pulpit, so that members of the church may attend, and a religious service be held, and, if possible, an' elder should accompany the minister. (4) That a certificate of baptism* be given to the parents. The first, second. and fourth recommendations were approved, and the third was deleted. The Statistics Committee report.xl increased membership of 1762, about 5 per cent. The church's indebtedness showed aft ''iftert-nse- 6f • J22U. The increase in the total revenue was over .£IO,OHO, the total being .£141.000. The total liability was'-abo'iiti ,£7.5,W0:' ''The Presbyterian population of tho Dominion was 234,723, aii increase of 31,126 in tho last five years. The report was adopted.