New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-01

prevail. unless private philanthr0pists happen
also 10 exist there in more than average num-
bers. The tutors employed under both sys-
TENS are selected at random, often without
inquiry az to their moral character, ana
generally without regard to their qualifications
as teachers. IL is enough if they belong to
the right church or the only true sect The
character of instruction to be given is leit
under both systems, to the selection OF the
unframed tutors, and naturally 1t Is seldom
profound or practical, and not always moral.
There is no inspection, no exalnlhatloh' no
supervision maintained by churches OF state,
and the direction of the schools Is conlded 10
parsons too busy to attend them, or to
deacons without other qualifications than
religious zeal for the discharge of duties which
under every other school system are
rightly believed of primary Importance
Religious culture and secular instruc-
ton are mingled in disproportloned
quantities, there being often too much
shorter catechism mixed with too little Rule
of Three resulting in compound which nau-
seates the youthful stomach and turns the
bitter-sweets of school-days into gall and
NORWOOD, that is never forgotten. The sys-
tenn of procuring pupils in each case is as per-
nicious as that of employing teachers. Chill
dren are solicited TO attend as q favor to the
school rather than as an advantage to them
selves, and too often their continued attend
ance depends on the good conduct of the
tutors in not offending the parents or children
rather than on the behavior of the pupils In
not offending the tutors. I'm both the "voiun-
"tary principle" is carried to excess. In both
the "religious difficulty - too Jealous sec
tarianism-besides these results, leads naturally
to proselytizng and the building up of the in
fluence of one sect on the ruins of another.
AS a rule, there is more joy over the one un-
godly Dssenter that repents and secedes and
enters into the Established Church, than in
the ninety-nine dirty little vagabonds picked
up by some foolish old philanthropist cropping
in dismal, Out-of-the-way districts, and i'm
pressed with the idea that there is certain
power and unlimited loaves of bread in prac-
teal knowledge.
The one point of divergence between the
American Sabbath Schools with slight, secular
branches) and the English Common Schools
with numerous religious classes), is that the
latter receive Government aid. But with that
blindness which frequently characterzes En-
glish plilanthropc and reformatOry schemes,
the British Government has made 1t rule TO
grant aid only to the established schools. 1t
does not strive to build up any. 1t gives to
those districts which have and denies to those
which have not, thus exemplifying rule OF
Holy Writ which we do not imagine the Mas
ter designed should have such false applica-
ton. This system of mingled religious and
secular training and of voluntary attendance
has resulted, after long time of thorough
trial, in leaving 100000 of population of
45OO,OOO children without schools or instruc
ton of any sort, and as a necessary conse-
quence in making one-tenth of the entire pop
ulation of England actual paupers and crimi
nails.
This failure has had no other notable effect.
1t has Disguised the social economists with the
voluntary principle in education, and from all
parts of England and Wales Committees and
Leagues and Unions and local Associations of
every kind are in Downing street to urge the
compulsory system on the Government and
Parliament. The Education bill of Mr.. For
ster, which is now under debate in the Com
mons contains one clear and important
provision requiring the parents of chill
dren above the age of five years and
under the age of twelve years to cause
such children (unless there is some
reasonable excuse) to attend school,"
This clause will doubtless prevail and that is
all that can be hoped for. The real trouble,
the religious difficulty" which is the princi-
pal cause of the failure of the School system,
will hardly be touched. Mr.. Gladstone lately
made speech in support of an amendment
to the bill which prescribed that in schools
hereafter to be established no Catechism or re-
hgious formula which is distinctive of any
particular denomination shall be taught. This
raised such a storm of opposition as indicates
it cannot be supported, and there remains no
hope that the separation of secular and re-
lgious instruction will be at present attained.
The debate has, however, been educational in
character, and will help to awaken the people
of England to a comprehension of the ere
"ligious difficulty which in making their
schools defective also makes their children
the victims of their own religious disputes and
differences.