GODLESS EDUCATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 286, 25 October 1878, Page 17

GODLESS EDUCATION.

v ♦ To the Editor of t/te New Zealand Tablet. Sic. — Perhaps you will kindly allow me to make a few remarks on the subject of education as it now is in the colony. What I have got to say may be even an encouragement to yourself and those who, like you, have hitherto striven to denominationalise our educational system, because it shows, in some directions at least that a current is setting in against the bondage of irreligion in which we hare been ensnared. I may state that both by word of mouth and by pen I for a long time strenuously opposed all attempts at denominationalisra, as it is called, because I vainly imagined that a middle course was possible between this and thorough going secularism. Events, however, have shown that any such hope must be ill founded, and if driven to make a choice between the two, viz., denominationalism and secularism full fledged, a thousand times rather would I prefer the former, and I am not alone in this preference, even among those who expected much from our present education bill. You will probably not find great fault with me if my thoughts on this subject do not run parallel with your own, but will esteem it sufficient if we practically come to the same conclusion. That the present system will practically operate as a crusade against all religion seems obvious. It might easily have been perceived that the Education Act left the matter of extraneous religious teaching in schools entirely in the hands of School Committees, at the same time few would have predicted the supercilious rejection of the offers made on the part of various clergymen in the city to teach after school hours. The shifts taken to deny the use of the schools indicated much littleness of mind and no perception at all or the value of religious instruction, and I am very doubtful of a system of education which necessitates a constant attendance at the polling booth in order to obtain men from whom a decent recognition of religion may be obtained. Again, I think the most sanguine must feel that, apart from a school system of imparting religious instruction, all other means must be comparatively fruitless. It is sheer nonsense to say that it is the business of priest or presbyter to teach religion to children. Let such persons do their best and much must remain undone. No one who knows what a good schoolmaster's capacity includes would for a moment affirm that one untrained to a schoolmaster's work, however learned and zealous, can effectually teach children ; besides, the time at the disposal of such persons is often very limited ; in short, the work which is recklessly and foolishly said to be theirs is work they ought not much to meddle with. Further, very many of those mo«t needing religious instruction cannot be reached in this way at all, whereas they could easily be reached in the ordinary course of school work. It will hardly be denied by any great number of our fellowcolonists that religion is a needful part of a child's education, but while this would be readily assented to through some confusion 6f idea it is substantially denied. The assertion is confidently made that, in order to obtain religious instruction in schools, we would have to make up our minds to the introduction of far graver evils than its extension is at present. The truth, however, appears to be that the unscrupulous, persistent, secularistic, element among us has largely brought about the present evil state of matters, by fanning the embers of religious discord, and doing their utmost to make religious differences appear greater than they really are ; and the only cure I believe is to unmask these false philanthrophists and show the professing Christian community the chasm on the brink of which they stand. The Presbyterian body have recently got a taste of the outcome of secular principles, and it is much to be wished that they may profit by it. Mr. Stout has now for a long time been a sort of Coryphoeus of every new fangled notion — Communism, secularism, &c. Hitherto he has been a mere theorist, but, by one of those freaks of fortune — which some call mysterious providence, and others by a rougher name — hejhas got into a position in which he has attempted to reduce his theory to practice, and in the case mentioned the Presbyterian Church was made to feel how undesirable it is for a man to cast off early religious views .of things. Now, I ask what Christian parent would like to see a generation of Stouts growing up among us. Dr. Stuart said in Presbytery, when Mr. Stout's conduct was being severly condemned that he was a man we were all proud of. lam not sorry to say that very many hold a very different opinion. It appears rather that we have much cause to feel deeply ashamed of him and his principles ; and, as I take it, any system of education in which he has had a hand, is, from its religious side, to be suspected. A line, with which in other days I was more familiar than at present, says, and is here appropriate — " Thneo Danaos et dona ferentes." I am hopeful that the time is at hand when our secularist fetters are to be brokeu. It appears that an effort is being made in Victoria of a like kind, where they are similarly bound, but we can expect nothing so long as we have godless representatives. Ido not suppose that any of us would think of asking any candidate to pronounce a shibboleth, but we have surely a right to say that those who come forward as our representatives will not trample upon our dearest feelings, even although they may not sympathise with them. I have, however, extended my remarks further than was intended, but, by your leave, I shall return to this subject again. — I am, &c, A Pbotestant,