RELIGIOUS TEACHING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3831, 14 August 1928, Page 2

RELIGIOUS TEACHING.

PRIME MINISTER’S VIEWS

“Without religious thought and teaching I fail to see hoAV a country can make any headway at all,” said the Prime Minister (Right Hon. J. G. Coates) Avhen speaking on Saturday night to an audience in the Wellington Toavii Hall at a concert given in order to raise funds for the proposed neAV building for St. Mark’s Church primary school. The Prime Minister, Avho spoke during the interval, said, although lie did not wish to touch upon questions of a controversial nature he Avould say how much lie felt the necessity for pushing on with the religious instruction of the children of NeAv Zealand. (Applause). “Can you imagine a home more lonely or more dreary,” asked Mr. Coates, “than that Avliieh has not the teaching of the Bible and the faith of God instilled into everyone of its members? Hoav many miss that teaching is a matter of concern to each and everyone of ns. The greatest edifice a country can build up is a faith in God and the true teaching of the Bible, for that atmosphere makes for character and Avithout character a country can never prosper. . . Let us then turn out children fortified and strengthened in 'believing that there is a God who can be a help to them. A citizen so fortified is*-the greatest strength any country can have.” (Loud applause).