BIBLE READING IN SCHOOLS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 297, 25 January 1910, Page 5

BIBLE READING IN SCHOOLS

A VIGOROUS DISCI SSION. "A COUNTRY RAMPANT WITH SKCULAKISM." By Telegraph.--Press Associa'.'.on. Wellington, Last Niu'ht. More vigor was introduced into tile debate by tile (.'encral Synod of Die Anglican Church on the ipic-tion of Bible-teaching in schools Ulan characterised the opening Mages of the discussion. l iitdiop Wallis was primarily responsible for this, and was followed by the Prima t ( . from another standpoint, A motion was eventually unanimously carried favoring the New South Wale's system* of religions instruction. Archdeacon Haddock supported the introduction of the New South Wales system, lie disagreed with the portion of the original resolution urging that othe r religious bodies should be asked to do all in their power to have this alteration brought about. He condemned the Nelson system, and said a body like a provincial synod should not, encourage it. The secular system bad been in force in New Zealand for over twenty years. Yet there had never been a definite pronouncement on the subject by the Board of Bishops, The time had arrived when this should be done. The time fo r passing academic resolutions bad passed. The time for action had arrived. They should form a league, and move as a corporate body. Bishop Wallis asked if the Synod were in earnest in the matter, lie detailed what had been done since li) 01, J and said the evidences were that the General Synod was not in earnest about: Bible-teaching any more than the country was. More members of Parliament were unfavorable now to sneii legislation as tiiey had hoped o carry than was tli,, case a few years ago. The ; Government had been asked some time ago to receive a deputation on the matter. They rcccfved it and gave a eon--1 siderate. if evasive, answer. Recently when asked to receive another deputation. the request had been absolutely refused. Diil not, that show that' the Pynod was not really in earnest? 'lf we were not in earnest," lie said, "T do as;c in God's name that, we pass "n to the next item of the order paper.'' . (Hear, hear). People said "Let religion be taught; in the homes," but those ' who had to prepare candidates for confirmation knew full well that even some of the best candidates who came, befpie them had not been instructed. There was considerable ignorance on their part. Tie had lost all hope of this cornini to pass for many years, because the majority did not care very much about it. The tendency was to record a vote like this and then say: "We have libcr- [ ated our consciences." Tie reluctantly advised fiiem to nut. the motion asi-.10 and 70 on with the business. "The speech jn=t delivered calls me t.o nr.' feet' on this subject." declared fh» Prima le. "T sneak as lit tle as tiossible. but after what we have lienrd. T feel T cannot remain silent. T should be extremely sorrv for it to cro forth that we are indifferent on such a subiect as this. T sneak for myself, and, T believe, the members of my diocese would uphold me, when I say that we are bv no means indifferent to the otiestion: at any rate in the south nnrt of the province.'' (Hear, hear). It wis now complained that no interest had been taken in the scheme which had been formed. He wished to sav for that part of the province from which lv came that the reason no interest was » taken in the scheme was because they did not believe in it. Time after time, year after year, Dunedin had made a pronouncement, in favor of th> scheme now brought forward. It, was for the Svnod to assume its manhood, and look the question straight in the face. They should promote a system by which they I won d have a perfect right to teach tile children what their parents would be very glad for them to be taught. lie would be grieved indeed if the matter were withdrawn or was put in such a way as was .suggested by the Bishop of Wellington. Dean Fitchett said the New South Wales system had done away with strife, had met all the necessities of the case, and they should stand by it. Bishop Averill moved the deletion of all the motion except the first clause (favoring the New South Wales system) as thev would then have something definite to go tu. The trouble in the past was that they had not been in earnest. He moved ill addition that the bishops take such steps as they may think advisable in order to bring the ad van t ace of this system before the people of the Dominion. • The amendment was accepted by the mover. The Rev. T. IT. Sprott supported the attitude of I'ishop Wallis. They slioa <1 put the question to Parliamentary candidates whether they were in favor of Bible-reading in schools, and, if they dwl not. they should rcfu>e to vote for them. Bishop Neligan said that in his diocese the State teachers would welcome the opportunity of giving religions 'iistruction during school hours, lie hid been informed that the State school teachers were against this to a man. but his enquiries had proved the rev-r-e of this. Tile clergy had no business "it the political hustings. The laymen must coiv with the mailer. They could expect liltie support, from the pre-s until it found t'h it the movement was a genuine one. !i the Government wh'ilii twenty years, or whatev-r 'nue it took t.-> educate public opinion, did not pur the llible in the schools New Zealand would be coyfvd with denominational schools, lie; rii-se ih- best people ill New Zealand were not «oiny t» allow s:v ;- biri-ni lo )>■> rampant in the country. The motion as .-invaded was carrs-d unanimously. \