BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43070, 19 March 1907, Page 4

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

An Education. Defence League has been., formed in Victoria to combat the intention of the, Dib\ - ~-P party. Apropos a pastoral letter ty Archbiisil'uop: Can’ wias'l read ,in all the < Roman Catholic dhufehesi in Victoria , ohi a recent Sunday. It dealt with, the proposed referendum on Scriptural teaching in schools. "In no former age” states the ,Bishop, “were the. foundations of Christian belief and morality more . widely or persistently assailed. There are very few dogmas ef faith, or principles of morality'left undisputed.” This he attributes to the cult- that man is his own interpreter of the Bible. He argues on this ground against children being, compulsorily taught Scripture in the schools. In regard to the referendum, his argument is: that having been once rejected the proposal should not again come forward. “One thing,” be adds, .is certain —viz., that if the Education Act is 'changed, jit will be not by the free and' deliberate vote of the people but by the forced; and artificially stimulated sectarian feeling which some zealots are trying to excite bv very unworthy means.” .*