THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1902. THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 265, 4 October 1902, Page 3

THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1902. THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

This important question seems to be coming more and more to the front of recent years, till it now takes rank as one of the leading questions in colonial politics. In several parts of the colony plebiscites have been taken in order to ascertain the feeling of the people, the result being in every case a large majority for the proposal. This in itself is satisfactory, but we may be pardoned for saying that it carries nothing like the weight that is attached to it. Few of those who were indifferent or opposed to the question voted at all, so that the extent of their possible opposition, should the question be submitted to a Referendum, cannot be gauged. However, that does not affect the merits of the case. Those who have striven and are striving to introduce Scripture teaching into the public schools have been met with the objection that such teaching would foster sectarian strife, but there appears no need for such a result. The teaching would be strictly undenominational and would be rather an effort to familiarise children with the Bible history and precepts than to make any comment. This should meet the wishes of all, for it is without question that the Bible contains the most perfect code of moral teaching to be obtained* Such being the case, it is the duty of the State, if only for the future safeguarding of its citizens and property, to see that this is placed before the children of the country. They can take no hurt, and the most indifferent may obtain some precepts that will be of immense value throughout their lifes.