SCHOOL BIBLE TEACHING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1427, 30 April 1912, Page 6

SCHOOL BIBLE TEACHING.

(By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Christchurch, April 29. A visitor to Christchurch, the Rev. R. E. Davies, of Knox Church, Duuedin, gavea member of the "Press" staff some interesting particulars concerning the working of the New South Wales system of Biblical instruction in schools. Mr. Davies was for seven years minister of the Petersham Presbyterian Church, Svdney, and it was part of his duty to give religious instruction in tho Petersham State School, which is ono of the largest within the suburban area. The work done in this school was fairly representative of what was being done in tho schools generally. "The teachers themselves,"'said Mr. Davies, "gave Biblical instruction, using the Bible as a basis for moral and ethical teaching. They also use the Bible in their lessons on civics. I found everywhere- in Sydney that' the teachers were enthusiastic in regard to this work, and ono may frequently hear them say that they would not care to part with it on any account. One of the strongest reasons to me was that in teaching morals they must have some definite basis. The authority of the teacher himself is not a sufficient foundation, inasmuch as his authority only carried effect while the children were actually under his eye. Teachers found that it was highly important that they should be able to refer anthoritativolv to tho Word of God. Teachers of all shades of opinion availed themselves of the privilege, and the authorities experienced no difficulties whatsoever. In fact, you will find everywhere tho utmost enthusiasm—from the Under-Secre-tary for Education down to the youngest teacher—for this paTt of tho New South Wales svstem of religious instruction."