BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1770, 7 June 1913, Page 5

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

TEACHERS' VIEWS,

(By Tslegraph.—l'rosa Association.)

' Dunedin, June 6. At tho meeting of tho Educational Institute to-day. Mr. A. Mathews intro-. diiced ' the subject of with a motion :~"That tliis meeting, re cognising the value of Biblo teaching and of religion, consider tho Nelson system the most suitable method of Bible teaching in schools." After over an hour s discussion, the teachers, with unanimity, declared in opposition to the league's pro--posals. ' f , In introducing the motion, Mr. Mathews emphasised the faot that teachers as a whole did not object to Biblo teaching in schools. He believed that the Biblo should never have been taken out of the schools. Ho was five years at Mornington, where tho Nelson schcmo was carried out. Representatives of four churches took classes on "Wednesdays, and he had found everything working so very harmoniously that he had become converted to that view. ; 'Mr. Eudey seconded tho motion, pro forma. ' ~ Mr. W. Davidson opposed tho league s. programme, mainly for the reason that it represented an attempt to introduce sectarianism, and denominntionalism into the schools. Ho believed many people would never have signed the league card had they not understood that it merely asked for the Biblo in schools. What the league wanted was not Bible reading. but to separate tho children in the schools, and to impart sectarian doctrine. He was strongly in favour of Biblo reading and'instruction in public schools, but ho was even more strong y opposed to tlio platform of tho league, which gave .opportunity foT the introduction of sectarianism dnd. denominational* ism. A very large percentage of teachers in Otago, who objected to the putform of the le-aguoi would bo found to bp Sunday sohool teachers or holders of office in connection with the church. Ho believed the Nelson 6ystem or something like it overconio most of the diifijmlfcies, and a half-hour in school hours could well be granted during whi'ja. ministers or their representatives could give definite instruction to tho classes in a body. . Mr. Duggan (Windsor) moved _ as an amendment: —"TThat ■ -tho institute, while recognising tho value of Bible teaching in religion, are opposed to the Bible-,in-SchooLs League's programme.' He said the league's means of attaining the end of having the Biblo in schools, put a hardship upon teachers. "If you want to drive Catholic children out of the schools," he concluded, "conform to the Bible-in-Schools programme. . Mr.. Williamson (Hereot) seconded tho amendment. , , r In the course of further discussion, Mr. Flamant said that most people had signed the league's card,. believing tnat -it meant merely that tho Bible would be read in schools. Tho Nelson system would meet all tie people required, and .wherever iNew South • Wales system could bo carried out, it also could bo carried, out. •• • ~ ~ . , Tho mover of tho motion said, that having provoked an expression of opinion, he was prepared to drop the motion in favour oS tno amendment, which was j carried ' by a unanimous chorus of "Ayes.