RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2221, 2 October 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS.

Thk Victorian Minister of Education, in reply to a deputation from the Wesleyan body on the subject of religious instruction in schools, said he did not imagine for a moment that any sect would object to the Lord's Prayer, in approved form, being read, but at the same time there were differont versions, two of which were authorised, and the other entitled to more or less respect. For instance, in tho Douay Bible i« was "dive us this day our spiritual tranau Instantiation bread.' That translation, he pit-sumed, waa meant to imply the doctrine of transubstantiation. It would hardly be fair to 30,000 Catholic childreu in the State to omit thut portion without eon suiting the heads of the Catholic Church. The deputation thought a form might be agreed upon to meet the difficulty. The Minister drew attention also to the expression implying the peisouality of the Devil, and other differences, both in the Lord's Prayer and the Commandmeuts, which would require to be dealt with. Mostly, a distinguished Auglican olerio, had laid it down that religious instruction, to be of any efficacy, must be given at home. It was ft misfortune , that we had parents who were irreligious. He would ask any thoughtful mau whether the hearing of Scripture lessons in schools would counteract such home influence as irreligious parents would exert. The deputation thought it would. Mission work proved that knowledge of the Scriptures neutralised the basest influences. The Minister said the Department could not disregard the very strong objection of teachers. Only four or five months ago they passed a resolution desiring that no alteration be made. The other difficulties he had alluded to would prevent a compliance with the requests of the deputation until some agreement was come to among the various religious bodies, and when that time arrived he would consult his colleagues as to what could be done.