CATHOLIC READERS.

New Zealand Tablet, 18 March 1915, Page 31

CATHOLIC READERS.

To the Editor. Sir, —The Catholic Education Series is neither a mere Reader, nor a work on pedagogy for the use of teachers. It is what its title indicates, as will be gathered from the following descriptive account of the series, given by the authors:—‘There are four books completed. Religion : Book First deals with the child's instinct, and it is not a catechism, but a book on religion, reading, nature study, social science, and aesthetics. Religion: Second Book, although it introduces a law of right and wrong, is not a theological treatise, but it is a continuation of the beautiful themes developed in the First Book. Religion Third Book tells of the Redemption, and gives the child its first knowledge of institutions. It is not necessarily a Bible History, although it presents in a concrete whole the dealings of God with His people. Third Reader, preparation for literature and history. This book is based on the same general principles as books on religion, viz., the necessity of centring all education about the truths of religion.’ om the foregoing description it will be evident, I think, that ‘ Delegate ’ has been somewhat hasty in forming his judgments as to the contents of the books. He also jumps to a false conclusion in imagining that the introduction of the series into our schools would involve or necessitate a change in the secular syllabus, ■or in the methods of teaching secular subjects. Of ■course, it is within our power to use one of the corresponding books of the series in each of the respective ■classes within the time allotted to religious instruction. They would help to supplement, explain, and apply the lessons taught through Bible history and the text of the Catechism. ‘Delegate’ will agree with me, I fee! .sure, when he has read the books.—l am, etc., Sag art. March 9, 1915.