THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2719, 26 January 1910, Page 3

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

ANGLICANS DISCUSS THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT. I NEW SOUTH WALES SYSTEM FAVORED. fpEK PltHHfl ASSOCIATION.*! WELLINGTON, Jan. 25. More vigor was introduced into the debate of the General Synod of the Anglican Church on the subject of Bible-teaching in schools than characterised the opening stages of the discussion. Bishop Wallis was primarily responsible for this, and was followed bv the 'Primate, from another standpoint. A motion was eventually unani- . mously carried, favoring the New South Wales system of religious instruction. Archdeacon Ruddociv supported the introduction of the New South Wales system. He disagreed with the portion of tho original resolution, urging that other religious bodies should be asked to do all in their power to have this alteration brought about. He condemned the Nelson system, and said a body like a provincial Synod should not i encourage it. The secular system had been in force in New Zealand for over twenty years; yet there had 'never been a definite announcement on the subject by the Bench of Bishops. The time had arrived when this should be done. 'Phe time for passing academic resolutions had passed, and the time for action had arrived. They should move as a corporate body. Bishop Wallis asked if the Synod was in earnest in the matter. Ho detailed what had been done since 1901, and said the evidences were that the General Synod was not in earnest about the Bible-teaching'any more than the country was. More members of Parliament were more unfavorable now to such legislation as they had hoped to carry than was the case a few years ago. The Government had been asked some time ago to receive a deputation on the matter. They received it, and gave a considerate, if evasive answer. Recently, when asked to receive another deputation, the request had been absolutely refused. Did not that show that the Synod was not reallv in earnest? ‘lf we’re not in earnest,” lie said, “I do ask, in God’s name that we pass on to tho next item of the order paper.” (Hear, hear.) People said, “Let religion be taught in the homes,” but those who had to prepare candidates for confirmation knew full well that oven some of the best candidates who came before them had not been instructed. There was considerable ignorance on their part. He had lost all hopes of this coining to pass for many years, because the majority did not care very much about it. The tendency was to record a vote like this, and then say, “We have liberated our consciences.”. He reluctantly advised them to put the motion aside, and go on with the next business. “The speech just delivered calls me to my feet on this subject,” declared the Primate. “I speak as little as possible. After what we have heard, I feel I cannot keep silent. I should be extremely sorry for it to go forth that we are indifferent on such a subject as this. I speak for myself, and I believe members of my diocese would uphold me, when I sav that we are by no means indifferent to the question, at any rate in the southern part of the province.” (Hear, hear.) It was now complained that no interest was taken in the scheme which had been formed. He wished to say for that part of the province from which he came that the reason no interest was taken in the scheme was that they did not believe in it. Time after time, year after year, Dunedin had made a pronouncement in favor of the scheme now brought forward. It was for the Synod to assume its manhood and look the question straight in the face. They shot Id promote a system by which they would have a perfect right to teach the children what their parents would be very glad to have them taught. He would be grieved indeed if the matter was withdrawn, or put in such a way as was suggested by the Bishop of Wellington. Dean Fitcliett said the New South Wales system had done qway with strife; it had met all the necessities of the case, and they should stand by it. Bishop Averill moved the deletion oi all the motion except first clause (favoring the New South Wales system) as they would then have something definite to go on. The trouble in the past was that they had not been in earnest. He moved, in addition,, “That the Bishops take such steps as they may thing advisable in order to bring the advantage of this system before Ihe people of the Dominion.” The amendment was accepted by the mover. The Rev. T. /H. Sprott supported the attitude of Bishop Wallis. They should put the question to Parliamentary candidates whether they were in favor of Bible-read in g im schools, and if they were not they should refuse to vote for them. Bishop Neligan said that in his diocese the same teachers would welcome the opportunity of giving religious in-

struction during school hours. He had been, informed that the State school, teachers were against this to a man, but his inquiries had proved the reverse of this. The clergy had no business on tlie political hustings. The laymen must cope with the matter. They could expect little support from the press, until it found that the move, merit was a genuine one. If the Government within 20 years, or whatever time it took to educate public opinion, did not put the Bible in the schools, New Zealand would be covered with denominational schools, because the best .people in New Zealand were riot going to allow secularism to be rampant in the country. The motion as amended was carried n u an i mously.