STATE SCHOOL RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1786, 7 February 1918, Page 3

STATE SCHOOL RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION.

(To the Editor). Sir. —Re proposed resumption this year of the 9 o'clock Thursday classes, the following is to be submitted : “To Parents and Guardians/ —By leave granted us by your Committee under Education Act, 1914, Part 4, Clause 49, and Sub-clause 7, we, the undersigned, intend. D.V., holding weekly Bible classes, at 9 a.m. Thursdays, commencing 21st February, upon elementary and fundamental Christian truths; 20 minute talks, in two rooms, for a senior and junior division. —(Signed) Rev. J. H. Bredin, Manse; Rev. A, Harding, Methodist Parsonage; Adj. A. Herring, S, A. Quarters; Rev, W. Raine, Vicarage. Will you most kindly sign below, whether you de-' sire your children, as a rule, to attend or not, and kindly return this to the Headmaster?"

This is the “Nelson .System.” Parliament in 1914 turned down the Bible-in-Schools movement, also any referendum thereon, but, on both sides of the House was affirmed by a big majority which included every shade of religion, the strong desirability of some sort of Bible teaching, if voluntary and accredited teachers came forward. The North Canterbury Board of Education sent circulars to all their school staffs and chairmen recommending facilities be offered to such. Sir Joseph Ward said (Hansard): “I will vote for the Nelson System, with a conscience clause for teachers,” etc. Your Committee, sir, very rightly is not officially responsible, nor is the staff, for the conduct or control of such classes; but “there is nothing to binder any member of the staff giving voluntary assist-

ancc” ex gratia. This I’ve seen in a dozen large schools most successfully having this system. Teachers in turn supervise, or appoint monitors to represent school order and discipline, and a roll is kept by them. Quite rightly, also, your Committee would not clear the playground of children whose parents did not desire their attendance at the classes,” It would he. most unfair to them. But, sir, let me submit that while I may pjay any games just outside any building wherein is going on a Religions meeting, yet I may not make noise enough to disturh.it; for that would eonstitue an offence under the Police Offences Act, and render me liable, on conviction, of a fine. If, therefore, when our circular arrives, any parent says “No,” might I suggest his children need not start for school (ill 20 minutes later than usual, on that day, or, that they he often told that it is gentlemanly, ladylike, “good form,” “good cricket,” to he very careful not to disturb the religious instruction ?

Bui:, O, sir, we do hope few parents will say “No.” Sunday schools do not meet the need, i spoke in four hero last Sunday. Only 101) were there out of 370 on rolls! Add the 50 absentees, there still remain over 200 non-Catholic- children who practically are not getting regular religious instruction, unless at home. Our four instructors are in honour hound to the R’s,” — the ruin of man, the redemption by Christ, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit—this and (he best character studies from the best, yet most neglected, of our English classics, the volume of Sacred Law revealing of a heaven to win and a hell to slum, a future Judge to meet and a present Saviour provided, our Lord, Who /is tke true Mainspring of all the good, behaviour these very parents inculcate. “Do not sin against the child” (Gen. 2.22), and a brief time, in expert hands, may, sub deb, arouse love to the Bible, causing them to “remember their Creator in the days of their youth,” and work moral good for a lifetime. I cannot close 'without saying how deeply indebted I feel to the Headmaster and staff for many Christian courtesies, and also to the local committee and ministers for their kindness. —I am, sir, yours, etc., HENRY BRADDOCK, Missioner. tdTC’lmrch Army, London. Foxton, 0/3/18,