CHURCH & EDUCATION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2815, 5 July 1916, Page 3

CHURCH & EDUCATION

PROPOSED DAY SCHOOLS

BY ANGLICAN SYNOD,

At the' Anglican Synod yesterday the llcv. R. Franklin moved that:

The Synod is convinced that there must be a religious foundation for all trim national life, and therefore, i while reaffirming its adherence to the aims of the' Bible-in-Schools League, urges upon churchmen the ,importance of establishing church . schools, where .definite religious instruction • may be given, and- for this purpose sets up a committee to'deal with the matter; such, 'schools committee to consist of the following, with power to add to their number—Archdeacon H. Reovo, tho Revs. C. P. Askew, . H. G. Blackburne, J. G. T. Castle, C. H. Grant Cowen, A. M. Johnson, A. W. Payne, J. Walker, H. Watson, and Messrs. W. J. Birch, G. Flux, .T. W. Henderson, W. F. Jacob, ,T. Martin, A. J. Rutherfurd, R. L, Button, and the mover. . Mr. Franklin said tho motion should not; be regarded as a proposal to supersede the Bible-in-sohools campaign. But a great opportunity was' presenting Itself, and the Church ought to make use of it. There was. a widespread feeling that religious instruction ought to be recognised as-an essential part of,education. The Anglican Church should establish her own schools as opportunity offered. This was being done by the Presbyterian and Roman Catholic Churches with success. The" Anglican Church had already made a start, and the tinio had arrived for a more systematic and extensive effort. He referred mainly to secondary schools, but the committee might also take into consideration the : establishment of primary, schools. Were .they going to be content tn leave this work for ever in the hands of the Roman Catholics? • ■*' Mr. Shirtcliffe seconded the motion. He : said.the.question was of the utmost importance. They must make a vigorous ofFort to overoome the difficulty in ' which thev had been placed owing to too attitude of the' State in the matter of religious education. The Government would not accede to their request regarding'religious teaching in. the •schools,_ nor . oven allow the question. to be submitted to' the vote of the people. Hi believed that the, Bible-in-schools movement had been defeated-for the time being at any rate.' The Anglioau Church should now do what other Christian, bodies.were doing. She should establish her own Schools, The problem was. not insuperable. Tf church people made up their minds to take,action, ways and means would be found. A start had already been made in one district with enooumgins prospects. They should storfc day 'schools whenever and wherever a favourable chance; presented itself, and shonld also establish more secondary schools. . At this'. stoie',the. Synod adjourned. The debate will be continued to-day: