CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL CHILDREN AND GRACE BEFORE MEALS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 49, 27 February 1913, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL CHILDREN AND GRACE BEFORE MEALS

, TO Tnß EDITOB. ' Sir, — It is regretted that " Parent " in his , letter published in your paper of Saturday evening last should take exception to Mr. Hopkirk's remarks to the Brooklyn school' children at their annual picnic. It is also rpgfotted Mr. Hopkirk at the time did not includo the word " Christian " in hie advice to the children, for if ho had said "All well brought-up ' Christian ' children 'said grace before meals," there would have been -no. room' for "Parent" to attack that "greatest of all teachers," who «ald" Suffer the little children to 'conn unto Me and forbid them not," for ib is easily seeh from the tone of " Parent's'" letter he does not claim to be a "Christian." lam not writing in defence of any particular church, but as a citizen of thft British Empire, which claims to be a "Christian Empire," also as one who tolerates all creeds that, seek the uplifting of the human race. If " Parent " and his family are not in tho happy position to feel grateful for "all thb blessings qf this life," let him remember tKere are millions who are. — I am, etc., ■ A VOICE FROM THE SOUTH. Dunedin, 24th February, 1913. to thb EBirofc. ' Sir,— Would you kindly permit me to say a word or two to "Parent" re "grace before meals." I see "Parent" is somewhat incensed at the words of the head teacher of Brooklyn school, because he eaj-e, "all well brought-up children said grace before meals." # Evidently ■ "Parent" has tfbt taught his children to say "grace," and vrhen meal time comes round at his table his children, _ like " so many animals, talco their food without a thought or word of thanks to Him who provides the wants of mankind. This then would prove the words of Mr. Hopkirk that "wefl broughtup children said grace before meals." Had the circumstances occurred within the school, and had "Parent" deemed it his duty to have communicated with the Education Department, I trust the Education Department Would have felt aa I do in the matter, viz., pity for tho way in which "Parent" is brincim? up his children, pity for "Parent" himself in not doing his duty, - and also pity for his ignorance. — I am, etc., A GRACE SAVER. Wellington, 23rd February, 1913. to xhd editor: Sir,-«-With reference to'Taront's" letter in Saturday's Post, drawing attention to' the Brooklyn head- teachor's homily to the school children at the annual picnic on the propriety of saying grace before meals, I think that the remarks of th» school teacher referred to were most objectionable and improper. If the saying of^ grace before meais is Mr. Hopkirk's criterion of good up-bringing, it is not the oriterion of thousands of equally Well-in-formed a-nd - good-living citizens in thfe community, and 1 the remark was a gratuitous, though Ido not say intentional, insult to the majority of parents. Apart, however, from the correctness or otherwise of- the statement, I protest against' those theological disquisitions to State school pupils. The gentleman does not appear to have yet asaimulated the fundamental principle of the Education Act, viz., that the State school .system is secular. When Canon Garland and his league of scriptural enthusiasts have succeeded in Bibleising the State schools (which tho common-senso of the people forbid !) then tho law many provide for instruction on i tho merit of saying grace before meals, looking miserable on Sundays, etc, but until thea I would respectfully advise the head teacher of tho Brooklyn School to confine his attention, so far as the State pupils are concerned, to p'u^ely secular business, and leave religious training to Sunday school teachers. The Education Act is magnificently definite in its prohibition of religious teaching in Stato schools, and , any infraction of the spirit of 5 tho Act on the part of teachers should.be effectively ' dealt with by the authorities responsible- for the administra. tion of tho statute. — I am, etc., ANOTHER PARENT. ( Brooklyn, 24th February, 1913.