BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1928, Page 1

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Archbishop averilijs ADDRESS TO SYNOD.

WELLINGTON, April 10

“While we cannot hut deeply regret the side-tracking of the Religious Exercises in Schools Bills in the recent session of Parliament and the endeavour to substitute what is known as the Nelson system for the provisions of the Bill,” said the Primate of New Zealand (Archbishop Averill) in In's address to General Synod to-day, “ 1 hope this Synod will reaffirm its allegiance to the platform of the Bible in State Schools’ League, and so strengthen the bond of union between ourselves and the other religious bodies who with one heart and mind arc endeavouring to supply what we believe to be lacking in our national system of education. Although the passing of this Bill would not interfere with the operation of the Nelson system in schools where it is being worked satisfactorily, yet the Nelson system cannot possibly he accepted as a substitute for the scheme promoted by the BilJo in State Schools’ League. As the Bishop of Nelson has rightly pointed out, the Nelson system, if permitted by the School Committees, means the reading of the Bible outside school hours, whereas the first principle of the scheme which we advocate is prayer and Bible reading within school hours.

“ 1 have nothing hut sympathy with those who are endeavouring to give to our children some knowledge oi the Bible under the Nelson system, but the operation of the system must naturally ho so limited as to he ol little use to the great majority of the children attending our State schools. There are approximately 200,000 children attending our primary State schools, and not more than 25,000 of these are receiving religious teaching. Under the Nelson system we should still need our Sunday Schools and Bible Classes, and Confirmation instruction, etc., hut would they not he much more cflcctive if some foundation had been laid in the minds of the children by means of the Bible teaching in the day schools. " With the sympathy of the Minister for Education and the stong approval of the Director of Education, as expressed in his evidence before the Education Committee of the House of Representatives on October 20til, 1027, said his Lordship in conclusion, “we must eventually succeed, if only "e keep a united front and are convinced of the justice and righteousness of our cause.”