CORRESPONDENCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 130, 31 May 1873, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

*** We aro desirous of affording every reasonable iacilityfor the discussion, of public subjects; but it must be" understood that we are in no -way responsible for tbe opinions expressed by correspondents. To THB EDITOK OP THB .NfiLSON EVB^TING., MAIL . Sir,— -I find there is some misapprehension in the public mind as to the present position of the Wesleyan Ministers jand Churches in their relation to the education question. An idea is abroad "that the British Wesleyan Conference is wavering on" the religious question. May I beg the favor qf a small space in your journal to correct "this idea. The last Conference gave the subject its most earnest attention to the extent of two days' discussion, and maintained throughout the high position the body has ever taken in reference to the use of the Bible in the schoolroom. The issue of those deliberations was the appointment of a large .committee to meet during the year, aud to be composed of representatives, lay and clerical, from all parts of the connection, to report at next Conference. This committee met in London in the month of December last, and numbered ,lso/ r rep.res^ including the most' infliVentfal ministers' iand lay-men from ** different 1 p'itts of England . Th&t

Committee, after the freest discussion during a long debate, put on record its deliberate opinion as to what public education should be in the following resolution, ■.viz: — "That, in-tbe opinion of this meeting, no national system of education will meet the necessities of the country which shall exclude from the day-schools the Bible, and instruction therefrom by tbe „ teacher suited to the capacities of children." This resolution was passed almost unanimously, there being a minority of only 12 persons out of 180, so that the Wesleyan body, I may say, is still in full sympathy with the nation at large on this question, and I am fully persuaded that the Wesleyan community in New Zealand would be found in full sympathy with the above resolutions. I am, &c, Thomas Buddle Fir remainder of news see fourth page.