THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1882. DENOMINATIONAL EDUCATION.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2665, 21 October 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1882. DENOMINATIONAL EDUCATION.

The annual discussion in the Anglican Synod on the subject of denominational versus secular education has taken place on the motion of Archdeacon Harper. Like those which have preceded it, the whole thing was full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. No immediate practical result is the outcome, but the champions of denominationalism, with an amount of faith which does them credit, look forward to something in the dim faroff future. There are, however, one or two points about the discussion which deserve notice. First, then, we would wish to congratulate Archdeacon Harris on the manly, straightforward, and sensible address delivered by him. A Mr. Coates, sojourning somewhere in the wilds of Waimate, made a most unwarrantable attack upon the teachers of the State Schools and the children attending them. Archdeacon Harris, in his speech, not only completely vindicated both from the charges made by Mr. Coates, but added his warm testimony to the existence of precisely opposite qualities in the masters of State Schools. But the Archdeacon went further, and, speaking as to the power of the Church in educational matters, told the Synod some very unpalatable but evident truths. In the course of the debate the usual opinions were expressed that, ere long, if day schools were established on denominational principles, the Church would once more regain that ascendancy in educational matters, now happily passed away. Archdeacon Harris, however, with a clear and keen insight into the signs of the times, and a breadth of view which it would be well for some of his clerical brethren to follow, believes no such thing, and he said so. He told the Synod plainly that it was useless to expect such a thing. The day had gone by j the Church had had her opportunity, and it would never return. Of the truth contained in these words, however bitter to such bigoted donominationalists as Mr, Coates, there can be no doubt. Happily for ns, a system of education has been established here, which has successfully overcome the difficulty which has retarded human progress in the matter of education. We allude to the establishment of a system of education in our midst which can be ! taken advantage of by all creeds—by all the numerous divisions of religions thought—without in one iota interfering with their convictions, whatever they may bo. In our State Schools the children of Churchmen, Jews. Catholics and Dissenters of all kinds can rod from the same books, study the same lessons, and rise, if they have merit, to the same eminence; and it is only right that it should bo so. Education such as we are now giving is a costly matter. As its cost is defrayed from the general revenue, such person has to contribute his or her share. It would therefore be unfair and unjust to compel—say, Baptists, Wesleyans, or Jews to pay towards the support of schools where religions dogmas are in- [ culcated totally and completely at variance with their own convictions. Yet this is what the advocates of denominationahsm want, and they cannot see anything out of the way in their proposal. We trust the day is very far distant when our present system of free, compulsory, and secular education is altered; I or the denominational system at all j

ostered op ,• encouraged by the State, . the different denominations feel bo deeply ths want of schools wherein to teach their particular tenets of religion, ' fflti Ithem establish such schools, and pay for them. Surely if it be of such vital importance to them, as they would lead us .-to believe, an effort to start such schools ought to be successful. Thera are at least three large centres to work on, Christchurch, Timaru and the North, hut we do not hear of any steps being taken ia the matter. Tins seems to us to speak volumes in favour of the State system. There is here a very large proportion of parsons professing to belong to the Church of England—a Church which, through its ministers, emphatically states that it is of vital importance to have Church schools—yet the only one started in Christchurch has languished, and at present is existing only. This furnishes the strongest argument as to the absurdity of the statements made during the discussion, of the question. Let us advise the Synod to take to heart the words of wisdom spoke by Archdeacon Harris when he urged them to make the best of their position, accepting as inevitable that the day of Church interference in national education has gone by, never to return. If they do this, and make such provision as they may deem fit for the carrying on of religious instruction, then they will bo acting a sensible part. But for members to stand up and fulminate all kinds of charges against State school teachers and pupils which, to put it mildly, *d» not come within reach of the truth, and vapor about the Church becoming again & power in educational matters, ia simply childish. Before leaving this subject there is just one point to which we would desire to refer. The great lesson to be learnt from the lives of all the brightest characters mentioned in the volume of the sacred law ia chsrity. Yet we find the modern minister of the Church singularly deficient on occasions in this quality. This was markedly noticeable during the debate we have been commenting on. Because persons happened to hold different views on religious matters to that taught by the Church, doubts were expressed as to their being Christians. Now, this seems to us to ba carrying the matter a little too far. Ia this nineteenth century one would have expected to see bigotry and intolerance disappear beneath the light of progress and of science. But we regret to find that such is not the case. In conclusion, we trust that the Church, or any other section of the community who feel deeply on the subject of the necessity of establishing schools of their own, will do so by their own exertions. The people as a whole will, we feel aura, oppose most strenuously any grant out of the publis • funds for such a purpose.