BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2083, 18 May 1907, Page 2

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

POSITION IN. GISBORNE. A LIVELY MEETING.'

Tlio Bible in schools question received a lot of .consideration at tho meeting of tho Gisborno School Committee lust night. The Rev. F. W. Chattorton wrote to tho committee on behalf of tlio Volunteor Bible Teachers’ Association, asking that the ordinary syllabus begin at 9.30 instead of 9 on one morning, and that they bo allowed to give a JJiblo lesson for half ail hour tor those childron whose parents desire it, us in don<s in other parts of tho colony. - Mr. Blair said that the teachers should bo consulted before making such an important change. He would move that as a resolution.

The Rev. Griffin agreed with Mr Blair in spirit, but he thought that such a consultation had boon held. The Bible teachers were anxious to start at the beginning of next term. Ho understood that Mr. Chatterton brought the matter before the school teachers, and there was no feeling of hostility to the proposal. Mr. Rowley said a conference was held in regard to the discipline. The teachers themselves woidd use their inlluonce with the children, but would not stay in the room. . The attitude of the teachers was not raised. At the present time the best of the teachers find that the half-hour cannot bo spared. The cry of reducing the syllabus showed that the 25 hours a week was not too long. As it wa>s, ' valuable subjects had to bo knocked off. | Mr. Dal ton thought that the teacli- ' ors should be left entirely alone, so j that it could not bo said they were favoring a scheme. j The Rev. Griffin said that he felt that the teachers might see fit to help the committee by giving their oversight of the rooms during the time the lesson is given. The familiar teacher would bo wanted to give general oversight and keep discipline. He thought they were willing to do this, but lie did not wish them to act ' any further. Mr. Blair said the proposed eonlorence with the teachers should be held with the object of seeing how the ! proposal could be given effect to with- ! out upsetting the work of the school. | Mr. Rowley said if the committeo decided the time of commencing the school, .they could not be made to start before. The Institute thought the teachers should not identify themselves with the movement, as it might pave the way to test questions, if it was to bo done at all, half an hour must be taken off at some time or other. It was proposed to have the instruction from 9 to 9.30, but it I did not matter what time was chosen. The children would really not i have to attend school till 9.30. i Mr. Darton said the school teachers j wanted the children first, as their | faculties were keener in the morning. I liov. Griffin: Exactly. That is our i P °Mr.’ Bright said the teachers should | be consulted as to whether the Bible- ! teaching would interfere with the 1 syllabus. , ~ . , The Rev. Grant said tnat the wishes of the teachers should be considered as to the hour convdjnjeiiiy^ Mr. Rowley suggested briday morning as the most suitable one, or failing that Tuesday. He thought that as they were elected it was nonsons© to defer the matter to the teach--01 Mr. Bright wished to ask the headmaster ' if he thought Bible lessons would lower the work of the school. The Rev. Griffin objected to the question, because they wanted to keop the teachers from identifying themselves in any way with the movement. Mr. Darton stated that xur. Rowley had already pointed out that the 25 hours per week was hardly sufficient. , . . Mr. Fromm was not in favor or shortening the school hours. He asked why could not tho Bible lesson ■be given at 8.30 ? (Hearj hear.-) It would work very well. ' Rev. Grant proposed as an amendment that the application be granted, and that Mr. Rowley be consulted as to which half-hour would be most suitable. Rev. Griffin, in seconding the amendment, said a committee should be set up to confer with 'Mr. I tow ley as to the best morning \to bei chosen. Mr. Darton insisted that a complete system should be laid down, and plans, specifications, and builder should be shown before unconditionally accepting the proposal. . lney were not asking for any particulars or who the volunteer te<ichori| veie to be. They might bring Kuhere with all sorts of ideas and superstitions. A syllabus should he laid before the committee, and thus place the responsibility upon the right shoulders. More information was needed before the request was acceded to. Mr. Blair said that if the letter Was agreed to it would bfud*.tlie .'committee to that particular half-hour. That was his reason for consulting tho teachers, to find out the best method of giving effect to the matter. The time was premature. Mr. Darton asked if it were not so that the 25 hours was fully occupied? If so ft was necessary to add a halfhour before or after school hours. Mr. Sawyer thought it could be done in school hours. He asked wliat was the position and efficiency of other schools? . Rev. Griffin said that at Springston the Bible instruction gave an impetus to schooling, and the scholars did very well. , , Mr. Rowley said that scholarships were gained by time being given by teachers out of school hours, ana Sprigston was no criterion as to the effect. Many other influences could take place. Work could not be so well done in 241 hours as 25. (Hear, hear.) They were pushed for time as I it was. English was not as good as it ought to be; they wanted >uore half-hours for such a subject. Rev. Grant said that the question of efficiency depended a lot on the teachers. , 111 Nelson the system or putting back the syllabus for lialf-an-hbur had been done for 14 years, hut if it'interfered with (the efficiency of the school it would' mot have ben tolerated. Now, he believed, all CTie teachers- said it was satisfactory. Personally, lie was quite willing to tack on half-an-hour. Mr. Rowley said the only question for the committeo was as to winch half-hour was the best. The Rev. Grant said that the hist half-hour was the essential point in the scheme. It was reasonable that the committee should have an indication of what teaching it was proposed to give. They intended giving the International system or Lsible lessons —nothing dcnominatioaiil. Mr. Fromin hoped that the Biblereading would commence before J o’clock. . , , , Rev. Grant said that it was stated at the householders’ meeting that it did not work well to start before They wanted tlio Nelson scheme. The amendment was put first, and was carried by one vote. Mr. Darton asked if any of the committeemen liad seen tlio proposed scheme. . ’ . ' Tlio chairman said he was m favor of seeing it before it was brought before the committee. He had heard a lot about it, but had thever ijeen it. The llev. Griffin said the committee was not responsible for what was taught. This was not a movement to interfere with the present secular education. While agreeing that the committee should lie aware ot wluit was to be taught, they were not responsible. The .chairman was certain there would be no deterioration m the school—it would improve matters. The Rev. Grant asked if Mr. Darton wanted to know what was hieing done if the lesson w.as placed fbefoifc school time. . Mr. Darton said it was their responsibility to see that the school routine was not interfered with. As the syllabus was now arranged for 25 hours, and it is proposed to curtail this by half-an-hour, the responsibility is inversed. The institution of any religious instruction imposed a responsibility on the committee, whether it were at 8 or 9.\! clock.