BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1849, 8 September 1913, Page 5

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

MISS GASCOIGNE'S LETTER, i Sir, —Thero aro two lottors in your issue of the 29th on the above subject which rcquiro something of answer. Tho bitterness, personalities, and mask of "Granum Salis" might warrant 0110 declining to reply, but some might'then' conclude that the statements cannot be answered. Your correspondent tries to make out that the Nelson system bogan long before 1897, and that therefore Miss Gascoigno did teach in connection with it.. I reply that the method followed previous to the said dato was in no sense peculiar to Nelson, but was followed in several places. Not' a few have attompted, as was then done in this town, to give a Bible lesson to tho school children outsido of tho usual school hours. I did so myself in tho Borough School of Lyttelton. . In almost every case tho result has been virtual faiiuro. Miss Gascoigno taught under that system, and her. statement shows the non-Success of tho effort. "Granum Salis" recalls a time of conflict between those who wished the uso of the school buildings for tho above Bible lesson, and those who wero opposed to this being granted. He asks, "Where was the Rev. Mr. MacKonzie? I don't think ho was'on our side fighting for religions liberty." Tho writor of that probably knows as well &s I do that my residence was not then in Nelson. Your correspondent admits that "a minor alteration" has been "made in the system." AVhether tho alteration bo major or minor, it has mado this major difference, tha't what was before a faiiuro has now become a success. This is how tho new method has corns to bo called the Nelson system, although its name matters little to anyone. If "Granum Salis" wishes any further reply from me, his or her lotters will require to bo signed. The letter hearing the signature of "M. C. 11. Gascoigne" is a brave attempt to cover up the real issue in her case. This lady camß forward to instruct the public on the demerits of the Nelson system, claiming special_ authority to do sn because of her experience in connection therewith. She said: "Remember that I am writing with knowledge acquired as a State school teacher, who did everything possible to make the Nelson system work well." I proved beyond cavil, or disputo that Miss Gas-

coigne left this town before what is known as tho Nelson system started, and that she never worked under it or helped it in any way. Other things found in Miss • Gascoigno's statement liavo all been said before, re-said, answered, and re-answered, the real matter of moment being, Is this correspondent ono who has a right to canso of personal experience? To somo extent, sho now admits that' sho has not, when it is said, "There aro slight modifications; but tho main features aro tho samo, and the same obstacles apply." The main modification is that tho Biblo lesson is given within the ordinary school hours, whereas formerly it was given outsido the usual. school hours. Miss Gascoigno's testimony is good ovideuco as to tho failuro of tho old method. It involved "penalising tho children." It gavo "the child tho alternative of playing games outsido, or coming in for tho lesson." "In my personal exporienco I do not think I over had a clergyman coming to my school under the Nelson system." "The children who attended . . . were children from more or less religious homes. Parents who wero careloss . . . took no interest in the classes their children remained outside playing." Ido not dispute these things; but consider tho effect of tho admitted "slight modifications." '-Before tho new order was introduced, the parents were' consulted, and thus thero is tho authority of the parent behind tho_ attendance of the child. In tho Girls' School, over which Miss Gascoigne ably presided for' many years, of tho 300 pupils only fivo remained outside during the Biblo losson, and I rather think tlieso would como in but for their par-' ents orders. Certain clergymen ate also in steady attendance to give tho lesson. , I beliove in the Nelson Bystem. (name it as you like) because it calls upon the churcheß to do their work, and it leaves tho State to attend its own business.—l am, etc., J. H. MACKENZIE. Nelson, September 1, 1913. Sir,—l see by yours of September 2 that Professor Mackenzio has challenged Canon Garland on ono of his (tho Canon's)'statements in regard , to Professor Sir Michael Sadler. J What a pity Professor Mackenzie does not keep abreast of the times in educational matters. Somo professors at Victoria Collego should get themselves out of that ' materialistio state, which is fatal to all- thoyghfc, and ascertain other leaders' opinions in educational matters on this very . question. Professor Mackenzio seems to doubt Canon Garland's .reference to Sir Michael Sadler. For tho professor's information I shall give Sir Michael's latest on this question. I quoto the "School Guardian" (England). ' Sir Michael was speaking at tho annual meeting of tho Homo and Colonial School Society, and. tho journal from which I quoto remarks that: "Few people havo a. better opportunity of gauging tho trend of public opinion in educational, affairs than has Sir Michael Sadler. None havo : taken' more pains towards a settlement. It como3, therefore, with considerable refreshment to hear him say that tho principle lias been secured in England that in national education, tho denominational schools bearing witness to ono great way of life, and tradition, of belief, shall hold their placo along with schools directly managed by public authorities." I think Professor Mackenzie will admit that that is advocating a, creat deal more than tho Bible-in-Schools' Leaguo is asking in New Zealand. Also, tho professor should know' that thero has been a complete riglit-about-faco on tho part of the present Home Government on theso very questions of religious education. Further on, Sir Miihael refers to "the number of schools where for reasons that none can challenge it is impossible for tho school authority itself to provide denominational teaching within tho school building. In such cases, Sir Michael considers tho denominationalists should bo forming a larger body of experienced men and women to undertake/tho work, wlion it becomes generally needed, so as to bo ablo to arrange, in practical ways, opportunities for teaching at convenient times outside, or, if allowed, inside school hours." Sir, it seemsfunny that I, a .working man, havo to inform such leading lights as Professor Mackenzie, of Victoria College. As I said before, it would be to somo of theso orofessors' and their pupils' advnntago if they would see what other leader.H in education are concentrating their minds on at tho prbsent day, and not roly on ideas that arc obsolete. —I am, etc., , THOS. M. MILLIGAN. September 3, 1913.