Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1895. SCRIPTURE TEXT BOOKS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5207, 14 December 1895, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Established 1874.] SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1895. SCRIPTURE TEXT BOOKS.

Tnr, GltrMiurh Pms publishes some interesting reports of the proceedings of nn Association formed to promote the rending of tho Irish Scripture Text Books in Schools. On a specific Sunday, clergymen of various denominations preached on this particular question, and their utterances were duly recorded. The OlniL'cli of England's testimony, ns delivered by Canon l.)unldey, was "that (ho Irish Scripture Text Books bad absolutely no theological bias, and had been found to work most satisfactorily in nil purls of Great Britain. Attention was called lollio fact that it rested willr Hie fathers and mothers of New Zealand to say whether the nation was lo be God-fearing or Godless, and astonishment was expressed that the women of Now Zealand should oll'cr any opposition. In all Christian lands throughout the world, there were only tour countries denying Christian education to their children —l'Vaiico, Victoria, South Australia, ' and New Zealand." The Wosleyani preacher, the liev. W. Morlcy, held that there was no hardship oven to Roman Catholics, as their prelates had approved of the Irish Scripture Text Book. It was for every householder to consider the matter, and if ppuyinqed this was right, to vote for it. The Mclliorlist minister said " If our boys and girls had no bodies to bo fed, mid no souls to save; if there wore no God, no standard of morals, no hereafter to think of; tjm our system was superb, Mental training ifierely, did not ninlce a dishonest man honest, a selfish man generous, and ut sensual man spiritual, You did not touch the springs of morals, by mental training. Thoy did not want the battle of sects to be introduced into ,oui' day schools, but desired to introduce it book of selections from the Bible, suitable reading for children, lyjtliout any comment, duly fenced, of course, )iy a conscience clause, Tliey acknowledged the Biblo in our Ifiw Courts i why keep it from our schoolsP J'Jcho answered why?" Wo quite agree with the vjow taken by Canon Dnnkley, vfo., that New Zealand is on tho lowest pliino in this matter amongst civilised nations. Materialism and money seem to he our Bod# in New Zealand! " No fear" is tho commonest Colonial ejaculation, and a greed for inonoy with nij utter contempt for God, man or devil, is often the popular idea of a nmuly person. We do dot care what idligiou a child is. taught so that

some faith ami some reverence be-1 comes instilled into it;some appro-1 j heusion inculcated of the evil conscquonces of lying, gambling, and thoso other vices in which thcyouug are wont to indulge. Wo always have supported and always shall support roiigion iu scliook We believe nine parents out of ton favour it, but ( the case-hardened immoral politicians who rule the land are against it, and tho Scripture Text Book Association has an up-hill battle to light.