METHODS OF RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN ASIATIC & EGYPTIAN NATIONAL SCHOOLS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1266, 2 July 1914, Page 4

METHODS OF RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN ASIATIC & EGYPTIAN NATIONAL SCHOOLS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —The methods in vogue to day for imparting religious instruction in the National Schools in the East are worthy of note at this time :

India. The Mysore Government has just adopted a scheme tor the introduction of moral and religious instruction in the State schools and colleges, by which Hindu, Mohammedan and Christian pupils may be taught in their respective religions, provided their number is not less than twenty in each case.

China.—Religious books are the basis of Chinese education. The tour books and the live elassic.s composing their sacred literature are about equal in bulk to the Old and Nevy Testaments. Their contents relate wholly to external forms of conduct. These sacred texts are the production Con lucius (551 8.C.) and his followers, and form the basis of the fundamental religion of the Cuinest Confucianism. The Coni noun precepts concerning the proper conduct of children are emphasised. The work of the school consists in the mastery of these language forms ; second, in committing to memory the sacred texts ; third, in the study of almost innumerable commentaries on these texts, for the purpose of developing a literary style similar to that of the sacred writings. Conlucius exhorted men and nations to righteousness and to walk in the paths of virtue. Egypt.—Nine-tenths of the population of Egypt are Moslem. In Government schools one hour a day, or five horns a week are re quired for studies in the Koran. The teachers are Moslem, Scholars are taught the necessity of religion to man. At seven years of age a Mohammedan boy commences to learn by heart the Koran, and the process is continued with his years. It has been stated recently that the Egyptian Government has purchased a number of Bibles to be used in the schools.

Japan. —In all educational institutions in japan, irom universities down to primary schools, the directors and headmasters respectively read the following Imperial Rescript on education which is looked up to as the authority on Japanese morality. In it His Majesty instructs his subjects to be filial to their parents ; affectionate to their brothers and sisters; as friends to be true ; to bear themselves in modesty and moderation ; to extend their benevolence to all ; to pursue learning and cultivate arts and thereby develop intellectual faculties and perfect moral powers ; furthermore, to advance public good and promote common interests ; always to respect the constitution and observe the laws ; and if emergency should arise to offer themselves courageously to the State and thus guard and maintain the prosperity of the Imperial Throne coeval with heaven and earth.—Yours truly,

S. Rkarson. 253 Cuba Street, Wellington, Ist July, 1914.