ARCHIDIACONAL CONFERENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2365, 6 September 1887, Page 2

ARCHIDIACONAL CONFERENCE.

The quarterly meeting of the Waikato Archidiacoual Conference was held yesterday, in the Hamilton Public Hall, under the presidency of the Ven. Archdeacon Willis. The following clergy and lay members were present : Revs. J. Marshall, G. Holer, R. O’O. Riggs, J. Haselden, Messrs L. Y. Cox, Walton, S. Graham, Wheeler, Wells, Ozanne, Temple'r, Salmon, Seddon, Col. Forbes, LeQuesne, Sandcs and Edwards. After the minutes of the last meeting had been continued, the chairman briefly laid before the meeting the subjects to be introduced for discussion, a list of which we gave in our last issue. On the motion of Mr Templer, seconded by the Rev. G. Holer, the subject of the testimonial to His Lordship, Hishop Cowie, was placed first on the order paper for consideration after tea. The Chairman then spoke on the subject of Bible reading in the .State schools. He praised the Education Act, but nevertheless our children were growing up without any knowledge of the Scriptures. He pointed out how impossible it was for the clergy to give religious instruction without neglecting their other duties, and gave illustrations of his own ill-success when he had tried to do so in both town and country. Even in Sydney where the church had paid teachers for the work there was only partial success. Here the difficulties were greater, and they could not get lay men to do the work. He contended that a syllabus should be prepared from Holy Scriptures, acceptable to all classes, and embracing the historical character of the Bible, leaving the literal interpretations to the ‘clergy'. He did not think we could go back to denominationalism, though he defended the system. Petitions in favour of this movement were read. After some discussion it was resolved “ That in the opiniou of this conference it is highly desirable that the Education Act be so amended as to admit of selected portions of the Bible being read in the schools, with only literary and historical remarks thereon.” The conference then adjourned for the sumptuous tea that had also been prepared for theirdiscussion.