EDUCATION.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3549, 11 May 1880, Page 2

EDUCATION.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab,

The Governor, it seems is of opinion that our present system is too expensive, but is in favor of Bib'.e reading in schools. Sir, I am astonished to read such from such an authority, seeing that if the present system is expensive, Bible teaching in schools would not lessen the expense, but add to it in various ways. My • children read the Bible, but the writer does not think the future generation would be benefitted by teaching it in schools, but perhaps it is not the good of the people that is, studied. The writer, studying the signs all over the world, pannot see that the morals of the people are benefitted by teaching the Bible in schools, and it seems to the writer that those who know the Bible best and do not act up to its teaching.live ou those who do and get rich under the cloak of religion, and the richer they are, the greater the Christian. Some other system of living will have to be inv^Ped for school education will not support all. The laboring classes are not one whit better off at Home for,it, nor in Ireland, nor here. If anything they are poorer; perhaps this system is intended to keep them so, for when some millions have been spent in educating all the boys and girls, how mfich better can they be? Are there situations for all of them? Were the money spent in finding labor to enable the men to educate their own children, and schools erected for those not able to do so, it would do away, with so many millions' worth of poverty, crime, and corruption, which would not suit any Government that exists through it. Can any thinking man conceive that pur Creator intended the laws of a country to be made so that one man should be able to will away at his own pleasure at his death 10 or 20 millions of money got out of the misery, not the pleasure, of others, and that this man shall be lauded as a Christian. What could this man do to entitle him to leave all this wealth to his children, or his children to receive all of it. Why does not the State claim all over a certain sum P If one looks to the effort of Bible teaching in others what does he see. In 99 oases but of 100 he will find those who are in business or profession the sharpest men—who have had a* Bible training, especially in Colleges and Christian Societies. Sir, I believe in religion, but I do not believe in it being made the italking horse for men to grow rich, and keep the poor always poor on education. Some time ago I read a calogram that the Pope of Borne died, leaving"seven millions of money. What had that man done over and above those that gave him their last penny to entitle him to leave that wealth to his own friends, and not return some to those who gave it him, or who is the greater Christian here—those who give or those who receiver—l am, &c,

P.B.P.