The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-05-16

ton; secondly. tina. a time table setting
forth in detail the hours TO be devoted TO
religious and secular instruction should
be publicly displayed in each school
room. and that parents should have the
right TO withdraw their children from
any religious instruction or observance
which they disapproved; thirdly, that in
schools provided or managed by school
boards no ca,echism or religious form
ularv distinctive Of any religious o..
nomination should he taught.
These provisions have been accepted
as satisfactory. not only by the great
mass Of Nonconformists, but also bv
all those persons who are indifferent
In the matter Of religion. or hold
on public grounds that State education
should be ~non-sectarian. On the other
hand. a great majority Of the members
OF the Church of England and almost
all Roman Catholics have refused 10 send
their children to the board schools. and
have established for them ny voluntary
subscriptions de~nomina,ional schools,
where. in addition to secular instruc-
ton. they can receive religious teaching
Of the kind approved by their parents
or guardians. To such an eS,cnt has
the movement in favor of denomina-
tional schools been carried that about
one-half Of the children in England re-
ceiving primary instruction are credited
10 these institutions. Those who sup
port them have long complained Of
the hardship resulting from thoir being
compelled to contribute by their share
of the rates or local taxes 20 the main
tenance Of the board schools, by which
their children do not profit. In 1855
they succeeded in procuring the appoint
ment Of a Royal Commission 10 inquire
into the working Of the Education acts.
A majority of this Commission roc
commended that school boards should
be empowered to subsidize voluntary
schools nj the cost Of the local rates.
but the Government of the day dis
avowed any intention of introducing
a measure 10 that end. The present
Government feels strong enough 20
pursue a different course. and, although
tho ultimate form which the bill will
take ia as yet undecided, there il but
little doubt that the burden Of main
tanning the UNCONVENTIONAL schools will
be placed wholly or IN part upon the
shoulders Of the rate payer.
What will be the political effect Of
such a law Ia obvious. Against tho
Government which shall have enacted
il will bc arravcd all the Nonconformists
and all those who believe that education
bestowed az the cost Of tho community
ought 10 be n~on-scotarian. Thoy will
denounce rs oppressive q piece Of leCis-
la n that compo'- them 20 maintain,
other educational establishments the
pupils in which arc obliged to receive
religious Instruction oi "A distinctly SOC
tar,un kind THIS : ono 81 those grew
anocs which the sufferer will 10 never
permitted 10 forget l. viii h." brought
home ~ him Lv tho periodical visit &c
the taN collector. |, viii be n source oi
constant "v~asVcrGtlou. and viii 10 likely
far to or.twr gh M tho mind & ~" victim
any abstract or sentimental objection
~ tho concession VI leGisla' We autonomy
10 ireland That - whv many shrewd
observers couple tho new Education
bill with tho revival of dutics on grain
and -four among tho proofs that the n
ionist Government Is doomed To over
throw a, the next general election.