The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-03-09
CORRESPONDS CE.
Letter from Canada.
CLAUDE, ONTARIO, Feb. "a, 1881.
Educational Matters-Theologi
COLLEGES

ing that elementary education throughout
the States of the Union is directed by the
State governments and non-sectarian? p
This at least, might be said of Canada,
with two important exceptions, which l
shall mention in moment Each pro-
vince of the Dominion guides its own edu-
cational affairs, and pays proportion of
the expenses of the public schools, of
which by far the greater part is borne
directly by the people; under whose i'm
mediate control, through trustees annu-
ally elected the individual schools are
placed. The central authority resides
in the government of the day, which ad
ministers educational affairs in Ontario
through responsible minister in the
other provinces through provincial
superintendent and board of Educa-
tion. Ontario, the central and principal
province, has departed from the non
sectarian principle so far as to author
arate" schools, still under governmental
direction, wherever these should be re-
quired In the ordinary public schools
the Bible is recognised, and may be used
at the discretion of trustees and teachers,
to the length of the teacher giving such
explanation as may be necessary for the
right understanding of the passages read.
Ministers of religion are visitors of the
schools within their respective municipal
tiles, and are at liberty to impart reli-
gious instruction to scholars Of their own
denomination. In Quebec, as I think I
have said in previous letter, the Church
of Rome is established" over it's own ad-
herents. 1t, of course, controls its own
schools, as does the Protestant ministry
as well, both under direction of, and re-
ceiving aid from the Government.
AS to higher education, the system
varies SO much in the different provinces
that could not give you any clear no
tion of it, unless by wearisome detail. l
may state in personal way, that our
theological colleges receive no State aid,
and that, as Church, we do not sup
port any literary institutions, with the
exception of the Missionary College in
Manitoba for which, in the meantime,
we stand responsible. Oalhousee College,
Halifax, and Queens College, Kingston,
have very close relations to the Church,
but are lot under its direct control
What need can Church of less than
thousand congregations have of Sig the
illogical schools? Why has it so many2
Why does it not reduce the number by
centralizing? Can its people be reason
ably expected to sustain so many institu-
tions? Such are the questions which
strangers invariably ask, and which have
been not little discussed among our
selves since the union of 1875 took place.
That union explains the existence of SO
many institutions, and the geography of
the Dominion, no less than the historical
associations of the various colleges, makes
change difficult, if not impossible. From
Halifax, in the far east, to Toronto, is
nearly 200 miles, from Toronto to Man
itoba, the threshold Of the great north
west, as many miles more. The colleges.
set along this line as "depots, whence
are sent forth from year to year the
trained leaders of Gods host, are none
too close together for convenience, while
the influence which they exert in their
several localities as centres of vigorous
thought and earnest missionary effort,
Justify their continued existence. The
Manitoba College has been charged with
theological work augmenting. 1t had
tow men in theology last year. Morrin
College, which serves the small Protes-
tant population of the old-time CITY of
Quebec as a literary institution, and re-
ceives no help from the Assembly, has
four students for the ministry. Halifax
College had last year Is, and Queens,
IA, with 81 more in its Arts course pre-
pairing for the Church" Montreal with
its SO in theology, and 25 preparatory,