RELIGION AND EDUCATION

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1666, 5 February 1913, Page 4

RELIGION AND EDUCATION

SPEECH BY BISHOP 'JULIUS,' (By Tclegraph.-l'rcEß Association.) - ChHstcliiircli, February 4. Tho foundation stone of a new school in connection with St. Michael's' Anglican Church was laid this uUcruoon by Bishop Julius. - Tho new building,- iu stone, replaces a woodeu structure. The. school is tho first primary school oslaulished in. Canterbury, and 'dates from 1850, 'After referring to the aim ol tho Church in, the early, days of, the' settle-ment-of tho province was to establish similar schools throughout tho diocese, ' Bishop Julius said the principal factor towards the success of the school was tho work-of the teachers,' many of whom turned from higher places and better opportunities elsewhere,- to carry on tlio , work for the love of : tlio school,. Ho, as Bishop of tho diocese, said "all honour to ■. thoso teachers, We churchmen have no quarrel with the Education: Act of New Zealand, Wo believe'it to be a very great nnd beneficial work. We'.believe'that no individual body ciui do' the work of tho . Slate in the education of the-, masses of Jic»' Zealand, ,but' we. desire that .tho teaching of God be the root .in all things." The Bishop-went on to suy '■ that church people desired schools of,• theii' own'becauso in Ihb first place,there was an atiiiosjihtre about n church 'School that remained with the children trained .. within its wnlls for their whole life, "Wo Jove that atmosphere," lie declared, "because wo believe it to'."be"sound and '. good." Such; schools wlierc was taught a belief in God, tho iear of God, nnd tlio lovo nf God, These were the foundation'', of life, 'otherwise dry-rot would set in. Ho knew schools like St. Micliael'h were •:' the very nursery of Hie Church of God, and ho hoped that from this school many good churchmen and chnrcliwomen would como lo do service on behalf of Gdd. .-... ': „ . ', .