BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1625, 17 December 1912, Page 8

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Sir,—When one reads of the attitude of a few of our local teachers (I was thankful to see that many of our most respected teachers did not take part in the meeting held a few weeks ago).we just asked, "Have the teachers the real and lasting good of the children at heart? Do thoy really want tho children to have' something which is going to do the most good to themselves and to their country now and in the. future?" Considering how «o many people have shut religion out of their lives, and given to educatim and business all their time and energy, and looking to the present state of the moral and social atmosphere, it cannot be regarded a strong argument for education alone. People argue of the crimes committed in New South Wales; if (he matter were honestly sifted out it would be found that many of tho worst crimes have been committed by people who have been inhabitants of Australia for so short a timo that thoy could not possibly have benefited by the religious instruction given there. And I ask the teachers if they do honestly go into the matter. One said the other day, "What about those children who do not. want religious instruction, thev miss a ' lesson." Now Canon Garland said that it was proposed that this time should be made tho reading, lesson throughout the school, and those who don't read the Bible simply raid from their primers. And here was this man who had the chance of hearing the Church's proposals arguing as if he had studied both sides of tho question. I say that the teachers have not the good of the ohildren at heart if they argue as they have been doing. I speak from long experience of what religion does for a human being, in business and in pleasure. I came away from home sadly handicapped to earn my living, and the times when I let religion go and rushed after pleasure or worried about money are the darkest in my life. Parents, some day your children may have to go to fight the battle of life. Give them tho best and most up-to-date armour to strengthen them. Start now in your own homes, and help to give it to others by supporting the Bible-in-Schools League — lam ' ctC " A. ROBINSON. Kilbirnie, December 13.