THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1881. SECULAR EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2305, 24 August 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1881. SECULAR EDUCATION.

■ It is, we think, matter for * that the attempt to introduce a new into the system of national education hHß||i the amendment of the Act of 1577 so signally failed. No doubt a wail j, disappointment will go up from , goody-goody persons who desire so dently to see the denominational revived. There are a class of people wh|BS ; like to play the Lord and Lady to patronise and superintend the schoolHH|| and inculcate upon the rising tion of New Zealand the portance of acting up to the tates of the Church Catechism. to order themselves lowly and before their betters. Fortunately for colony those days have passed never, wo trust, to return. We havHBE now what has boon striven for many years, a system of education national in its charactor, and one w is regarded with high esteem by othaßSAC'colonies as being one of the best could be adopted. We say truly because it recognises no distinction oH|||| creed or dogma. The children of men, Hebrews, Catholics, or any believers in the thousand and forms of faith which now exist, canHT under our present system, sit on thfflE same form, read out of the same boolaH||||| and receive the same instruction. £ve]BH|||| were this all the good derivable from th|E||||

system it would be something. In a small way it is a realisation of the millonium. Here wo find the professors of faiths which in times gone past burned, racked, and otherwise tortured each other, amicably commingling together, leaving the discussion of religious dogmas to be conducted in the proper place, and only looking forward to the fitting of the young to take their place and part in the work of founding a new and glorious nation. We do not for one instant wish to undervalue the importance of religions teaching—in its proper place—but we do most earnestly and emphatically say that our public State schools are not fit and proper places for the promulgation of religions dogmas. The Primate, in his opening address to the Synod yesterday, dwelt at some length on the importance of the work of spiritual education of the young. No doubt the feelings of the Primate as to the duty of the Church in this respect will find a ready echo in the breasts of churchmen. But do they take any practical steps beyond attempting to tinker the Education Act to carry out this idea P Do they establish schools where the principle 'so 'ardently longed for by them of reading and expounding the Bible may be carried out to their heart’s content, and where they can ape the squire at home in a small way ? We reply to these questions in the negative. It is true that in one parish, through the untiring exertions of the incumbent, a school of this kind does exist, but as a rule throughout the length and breadth of the diocese, no practical steps have been taken to achieve the object which the churchmen one and all so loudly vaunt their ardent desire to see. The Church itself is rich, holding lands in all parts; to it the founders of the settlement were bountiful, and if it really believes that the imparting of religious, together with secular education, is of such vital importance, why not devote some of its ample funds towards the object. Such a course would have this merit at least—that they would abstain from endeavouring to thwart and render abortive one of the best systems of education for a young country which could be devised. It does not interfere with the liberty of conscience of any one. All are free to hold whatever belief seems best, and no distinction is made. The highest educational honours are open to every one, no matter what his religion. Surely the people of Canterbury, after having once enjoyed this freedom, would never consent to put on again the shackles of denominationalism. It is the mission of the home and the Church to impart such religious instruction as may be deemed fit. That of the State, to our mind, is clearly distinct from this. As all contribute, indirectly, through the taxation of the country to the cost of national education, so it should be of a character which enables all, whatever may be their faith, to participate in its advantages. This is what the Denominationalists, under the guise of solicitude for the rising generation, would desire to see altered, bat we trust that the people of the colony will never allow it to be done. There is ample room for both the State and the Church to discharge their several duties, but they cannot be combined without hurt to the best interests of the colony. As we have said before, if the Church as a whole feels so deeply on this question as wo are led to believe, the remedy is plain. Let them establish schools where their own peculiar ideas of education may be developed to the fullest extent. Until we see this however, we shall take leave to doubt the reality of the professions now so glibly made of the desire to rescue the youth of the colony from what they are pleased to call a Godless system. If if be so, it is the fault of the Church for looking on apathetically, and not doing what clearly is its duty, and belonging exclusively and entirely to it.