BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1487, 9 July 1912, Page 4

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

AN ORGANISED MOVEMENT,After a. period of comparative quiescence the Bible-in-schools movement is being re* vivod by its supporters, and a novV oauiSaign is now pending, Tho Anglican ishop of Wollington (Dl\ Sprott) referred to the tuovefiient in his presidential address at tho opening of tho Wellington Diocesan Synod, and last evening the question again camo up in tho form of a motion by Archdeacon" Harper, who moved: t'That this Synod views with grout thankfulness tho organisation of a league . for bringing about an amendment of we Education Act in the direction of providing for Biblo teaching on tlio lines of tho New South Wales Education Act, and pledges itself to do its utmost to effect tho object of the league.' . Archdeacon Harper said that on the initiative of the Synod, tho several religious bodies had been communicated with. Tlio Presbyterian and Wcslcyan Churches had decided to co-pperato in the movement. ' The Congregationalißts were not prepared to join as a body, but n. majority was prepared to associate itself with the movement, and this was also (ho case with tho Baptist Church. What was now proposed was tho formation of u league to Fcouro ah amendment of the Education Act, which would enable them to accomplish their .ideal—Biblo lessons in schools. Tho speaker went on to describo the Now Soirth Walfes syetcin, which, ho said,-wns not generally known in this country. In New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania, (hero was no conscience clause for teachers of Bille lessons any mors than for history lessons. They , "taught the Bible." but did not expound religious doctrine. ine children were - examined as to thoir ' knowledge of tho faote. It waa , easier, said the, speaker, to give non- ' denominational instruction iu the life of Jesus Christ than in such a period of histor)" as the reign of Henry ■ VIII. Then there was, under the New South Wales , Act, a special religious hour—not neces- ■ earily fully utilised—the idea being that any minis, or of a religious body, duly not credited, could cuter a school, at a time to bo arranged by the school authorities. He could teach the children belonging to his Church what ho thought rights he could expound tho catechism or hold a service. In' Queensland .they Ml revised the New Routli Wales Act. The Irish text book lv?.d been used in the latter State, and considered inadequate. It was mi- ' portant to note as the opponents of Hie Bible in schools would discredit the Irish text-book, which it was nof intended to use iu New Zealand. In the Dominion, also, it was probable that tun amount of limo for religious txwchnur would vary from that .stipulated under tho provisions of tho New South WaUse Act. Tlio executive committee> .of tlw movement was representative of Eevern.l religious bodies;-the Primate was head of tho movement, and the Rev. John Mackenzie, of the Presbyterian Church, was tlin prcrelory. K* headquarters werci i< t Christclmrch. Tiiero was al«> an inner, executive. Branches would be formed throuqheut New Zealand. A few da.v< a?o Mr. J. G. W. Aitlton, of Welliiiston, was apooiiitod ireasuror. (Applause., ("anon Garland,'of Australia, lind accept, cd a tlirco years' cn-w-nic-iit to oreaulM tho movement in >>,w Zealand. As to , ils finnnrnl .nspojt.. IWy estimated that Ihov would require JilflflJ .a year, an; 1W diflicullv uus imticipalvd in wenrnvf that nmoimt: The lime for individual opinions l,.id ffcnc by-tlicre was no time for that. I The ■owanisin? wrk woiild bo loft tn Conon Garland. Personally lie dirt n;it think it would be long before relicious bodies would be piiv:le : «a to ro into the State schools and give special induction. (Applause.) Tho motion was i=er.nnded by the lxov. J[r. Walker (Aramoho), a,nd carried unauimously, ■