CHRISTIANS AND SCHOOLS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3665, 13 April 1883, Page 3

CHRISTIANS AND SCHOOLS.

[To the Editor of the Daily Telegraph.] Sir, —The difficulties that a State has to deal Avith in the endeavor to establish a system cf education for the children of the people have been Avell exemplified in the discussion that litis taken place in the General Synod now sitting in Napier. The Church of England is divided on the question Religious a-. Denominational teaching. The Catholic Church supports denominationalism pure and simple in public schools, and Avould join hands Avith Protestant denominations to secure it for all alike. The Presbyterians will have nothing to do Avith denoininationalism. Tho Church of England in this colony, as represented in the Synod, has shoAvn itself to be greedy, selfish, and unjust. It Avill not help the Catholics to obtain Avhat they deem to be justice, but it Avants for itself Avhat it Avould deny to them. AVhat is a Legislature to do under such circumstances than to say—"A plague on both your houses!" There is but one course to pursue if religion is to be taught in public schools, and that is for all denominations to agree upon the action to be taken. The question before the churches is this—" Are we to be content Avith secularism, or shall be pull together to obtain denoininationalism r" But Christians so dearly love one another that there is no chance of any amalgamation for any christian purpose, and, therefore, the State does right in steering a clear course and in giA-ing the people tho means of education independently of the narrow-minded prejudices of sectarians. AVhcn the churches arc agreed its to Avhat is for the good of true religion, the spiritual Avelfarc of the people, andfor the causes they are severally bound to support, it Avill then be time for the State to listen to their demands.--I am, ke., A Denominationalist. April 13, 1883.