SECULAR EDUCATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7048, 9 February 1910, Page 5

SECULAR EDUCATION.

(To the Editor " N.2. Times.**) Sir,—“Aiistobuhis" might allow tlio "illusive Pimpernel" any luimbcr of points ami etui bo ■coafidtiit of victory, lin gives tlio argimi-ents of liioso who differ from the Nappy dispatch, by a very simple process. What, cannot be reasonably disputed is liatiy denied; what cannot be met is ignored, and anything awkward is waived aside with the ease and dignity of one fuily coascioiis of personal infallibility. Most people in submitting questions of grave moment for public consideration endeavour to suggest isomo basis of reason, or allege some foundation of fact. Not so, Aristobulus. Your accomplished correspondent says “1 am sorry to contradict ‘Guard the School’, and accordingly assert etc." Mow admitting reason for the penitence thus expressed, 1 would rather have had evidence of -reform, lie does not oven assert that tho school touchers teach free-thought, he does not question their honesty, but ho relies iipon -assumed unconscious influence. Iniorontialiy therefore everyone holding liberal views on religion, unless openly profligate, is a danger to the community and ought to be dealt with accordingly. No other conclusion is possible, for if such a one may not bo enjoyed as a school teacher, in what position may ho bo employed ? How can wo be sure that, whatever position* bo may bo in, ho will not exert this influence by sterling character and exemplary conduct? Even if thekj people were put in gaol for unbelief, a remedy which has been fried within quite recent periods, their goodness and amiability' might win tho esteem of their gaolers; so that tho preelection would be Incomplete. But as there is some attempt at argument, or at least what I mistake for argument in this suggestion, and as it tells against a position dear to conservative theologians, whose progenitors gained for them their present- position of proniinenee and influence, by tho exorcise of free-thought and tho promulgation of heresy, I am prepared for this also to be denied, possibly without tho courtesy of seeming regret; though, in tho, absence of any attempt at proof to tlio contrary, even the semblance of penitence would not be ungraceful. I am really glad however to be able to agree with Aristobulus upon one important point from which many will unthinkingly dissent. It really Is the case that the introduction of * the Bible in Schools is a much larger question than religious instruction in. schools. I concur entirely. Denominational teaching, instruction in any of the conflicting creeds, or even in a conglomerate of them, could bo more intelligently and efficiently, introduced into tuo schools than could that which most people without a sense of humour of proportion term "simple Bible teaching." Amidst so many mistakes, mis-statements and evasions, I am gratified to find one clear thought plainly expressed. AVhat a champion Aristobulus might, have been on the other side, had he allowed his judgment to act freely as he has apparently done upon this aspect of the subject? But this seems quite exceptional,‘for the statistical question he prudently evades whe'u fairly cornered, by saying, it is postponed; though ho raised it with jubilation in the absence of the author of tho statement. Mr Gammell, if he is not surfeited with victory may return to this; though that should be hardly needful. < , Just a few words more to show with what success Aristobuluß contrives that his judgment shall not get tho better of him when ho does adduce an argument. He writes “ 'Guard the Schools’ tells us the schools are secular, and seems to define the word as meaning neither religious nor anti-religous?" Why "seems to define?" 1 used the word in'its proper sense as Aristobulus well knows, a*nd so no definition was required. Of course tho Acts quoted amply disprove his own contention;. 'He .isays, "The New Zealand Act gives no definition of the word 'secular/" Precisely. Nor does it* tell us that "conjunctions join words and sentences," -and manifestly for exactly the same season. The word is.defined in the New South Wales Act in. order to give it for legislative purposes a strained *and non-natural mean'ing: so that it may include something which otherwise it would not do, and to show that the word was impaired and its moaning altered for ia special purjiose, to the extent mentioned. The definition is for this and for nb other conceivable purpose. Assertion. Sir, is much safer than (argument, but ,no matter how often misleading statements may bo repeated, I trust there will always bo an overwhelming mass of . people in' this country prepared to ~ ' GUARD THB SCHOOLS. Wellington, 'February sth.