PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 154, 16 November 1912, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY.

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. THE NEW SOUTH WALES SYSTEM. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Friday. The question of Bible reading in public schools was discussed at the Presbyterian Assembly to-day. The committee submitted a report heartily agreeing to support the movement in favor of the adoption of the New South Wali-H system of religious instruction. In the meantime! the committee strongly urges ministers of religion to take advantage of the facilities so many of them enjoy nnder the present Act for giving Bible lessons in schools. The Bev. Mr. Parker, in moving the adoption of the report, said it was the churches' own fault that the Bible had not been part and parcel of the school curriculum long ago, but they had differed and failed. Now, however, they agreed, and the people were with them, and would vote at any rate for the experiment being made. The report was adopted. The New South Wales system, it was explained, consisted of simple Scripture lessons read during school hours by the children from a hook provided by the Department of Public Instruction exclusively for this purpose. The work, of„a State school teacher is restricted to seeing that the child understands these lessons as intelligently as any other. The teacher does not give either sectarian or dogmatic teachings. The churches have the opportunity afforded them of sending their ministers of religion or other accredited teachers into schools during school hours, to teach children the faith of their fathers in their respective denominations.