BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2004, 11 March 1914, Page 8

BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS.

ATTITUDE OF W.C.T.U.

MISTAKE MADE LAST YEAE.

UNION 1)W SOLD).

(By !Mcgraph.—Special Correspondent.) Cisborne, March 10. At the Convention of the Women's Christian Temperance Union at Gisbcrno on Tuesday, Mrs. Harrison Lee Cowio. brought forward a resolution as follows:—"That tho Convention endorses tho action of tho fifty branches supporting tho Bible-in-Schools League." She stated that tho majority of" the branches favoured the league's system which she know personally worked well ill Australia. •■!'• Dr.,:Elizabeth'.Dunn said that the Union,' by its-action; at last convention, had set itself against a body of organised Christian opinion, and the only organisation workinE ; to. include' Bible in the, ordinary school curriculum. .' '.- , - ■■'' "-■ Miss Henderson moved as an amendment: "That tho.Convention reaffirms its support of the Bible-in-Schools, leaving -. individual .members to work for the system they prefer."

Miss Atkinson (ijfelson), mover of last year's resolution, said thai! the supportters of the Nelson system, were prepared to meet the 'league' .'supporters half way. , -' •■ '■'

Miss Bagnall (Auckland) stated that she was a member of tho Church of Christ which, in Australia, works harmoniously with the system of the Bible-in-Schools League, and without denominational bitterness. "You send your children," she added, "to your own Sunday school to receive instruction, from your'own ministers. Why not do the same in tho day school?"

Miss Roberts, seconder of last year's motio'ii','was prepared , to stand shoulder to shoulder with those to whom she was bitterly opposed. If a mistake had been made last year there was no need to do so this year. Mrs. Atkinson (Wellington) stated that she would bo averse to have her , voto go against the League' since many of those coming to represent branches supporting.the League had lost their voto through, .no .-fault of theirs. She appealed to tho Leaguofs supporters to support the amendment. .

Mrs. Cowie urged likewise, though sho said she could not agreo that tho League system causes sectarian strife. It was admitted ■ that a mistake was made last year and-that was the main thing. r ■ " '•■ " The Convention ■ carried tho amendment'and declared itself solid for Bible-in-Schools amid applause. "THIS GREAT-YEAR OF BATTLE." (By Teleeranh:—Press Association.) ■ -, Gisnorne, iAfarch 10. Tho question of Bible , teaching in State schools was before the W.C.T.U. Convention to-day, and led to an animated discussion, which lasted for about an hour and a half.. .Though the delegates were unanimously in-favour of the principle, it was apparent that there was diversity of opinion as u> the best methods to bo employed. Mrs. Harrison Lee Cowie moved the following resolution:—-

"Wo reeogniso the need of drawin" together all the forces that make for righteousness..in. this, great year ,ot battle, and the vast importance of civility and love .and'goodly concord in our ranks at all times. Wo recognise also that all otir members aro Unanimous in desiring that Bible teaching shall be given to Christ's little ones everywhere, tlio only difference of opinion being the method of getting such touching into tho schools. The last year has given timo to tho unions to thoroughly investigate every possiblo mothod of securing Bible teaching, and tho majority of our branches have voted' strongly in favour af tho Bible in State School League's system as being the one practical method. ,This_ Convention' decides to endorse tho opinion of the 50 or more branches that before and 6inco our last Convention havo voted for tho Biblo in State School j League's platform. This is in harmony with the resolutions passed and reaffirmed by church gatherings of largo denominations, as well as- by somo smaller bodies, and will make us ono harmonious whole of Christian citizens demanding from our representatives the birthricht of cur children."

_ Dr. Elizabeth Dunn seconded tho motiou. ■ " ' Miss Henderson, moved the following .imendmeiit, which was seconded, by Mrs. M'lsaac:—. .... , "That this Convention reaffirms Us advocacy of Bibk/teaching in State schools. It recognises that amongst its ir.enibcM and branches thero are differences of opinion as to the best methods of carrying out this principle, and being convinced that no action should ho taken by tho Convention which would impair the spirit of unity which'ha3 hitherto marked the. work of tho W.C.T.U. for so many years) it'is of opinion that e.ich branch'and each member should bo left frpp to'advocate the particular systemof Biblo teaching which appeals strongly to their consciences."

Tho ftmendnicjit,was.carried,'by 52 to 7. •]■ p" , '?: ■:'•'■'■' V-: ■'■ ■ '• ■ Tho amendment was'then'put as the motion and carried on tlio voices. ■ "So it (roes out to tho whplo world.", said Mrs. Leo Gowici "tliat wo are solid for Biblqin schools." (Applauso.)

'A' combined meeting' of tho Central Committee and tho officers '" of" the Women's Leagw for tho Wellington province was held in. Sfc. : John's Schoolroom. Willis Street, on Monday night, tho Rev. Dr. Gibb presiding. There was a largo attendance Amongst other matters considered was the recommendation of the recent conference of Dominion delegates to form a League of Earnestness, of which all mombprs present approved,; and all except three undertook to sign 'the declaration. Pastor Nicld, of the Church, of God, the* Rov.C. W. I. Maclavlerty.' the Eev.' J. : K. Elliott, and Major Colvin, of tho Salvation Army, were added to tho Central Committee. • ■

Tlio sal? of the oil s) earner Tnranga will take-nlnce in Auckland on.• Friday, April 3. at 2 p.m. The New Zealand Loan and' Mercantile Co., Ltd., advertise particulars elsewhere. . . , \ stock'sale will be held at Levin on Friday: l tfarnh V. Tho N.Z. Loan and Mercantile C 0,., Ltd., , advertise particulars of-stock.' On Sat ill-day, April i, at their rooms.' \jWrv Hnrcaurt and Co.,' Wolliirrfr.ii. will hold an auction, sain of leasehold property, i situated in Adclaiilo Eoad, Particulars appear elsewhere. Mpsfrs. Hal-court and Co. advertise particulars regarding several select seaside sections at Roim Bajy , ': Tho annual meeting of tho Oriental Football Club will bo held »t Godber's ■Rooms Cuba Street, on Friday, March 13, at 8 p.m. Messrs. Harconrt and Co; insert an "announcement in to-day's issue in referonoo to an auction sale of Evans Bay land. The «ile will be held at their rooms at 3.30 to-day. Particulars of throe first-clnps sheep and dairy farms for salo aro advertised by Mcpst.3. William 3, Hunt and Co,, Wollii"»ton. Mr. H. Paxata, TVelliiißtou, inserts an n(!v»rti.*em?nt in this issue giving particulars of a sheep farm o£; 3GB aprcs wiiicli is far salo in tho 'Wairarapa. About 791 acres of Taranaki sheep and cattle country •■ for salo or exchange are advertised by Messrs. J. T. Horn, Ltd., ■\Velluigtoii. '