The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, February 25, 1909. BIBLE INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 450, 25 February 1909, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, February 25, 1909. BIBLE INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS.

- - - - Tnn Rev. O. Young-Woodwartl, vicar of the local Anglican Chnrcli, has made application to the local school committee for permission to enter the public school, after school hours, for the purpose of giving religions instruction to those children whose parents desire them to take advantage of such instruction. We are informed that the rev. gentleman imparted religions instruction in one of the Palmerston schools during his residence there. We see no reason why the committee should not readily accede to the request made by the vicar of the Anglican Church, or any other minister for that matter, provided the school hours are not encroached upon. The cry about Godless children in the-Dominion would not reflect upon our clergy if they were all as anxious to impart religious instruction to the children as the local vicar appears to be. A section of the Christian Church condemns the State for barring the Bible in schools. The State replies that it objects to encroach upon the duties of the Church—whose special sphere lies in the spiritualwelfare of the people. If parents will only co-operate with ministers in this matter the reproach about Godless children will be removed—at least from the ministers.