THE SCHOOL QUESTION.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 610, 18 April 1876, Page 3

THE SCHOOL QUESTION.

Thk efforts of our school-masters under the present system of secular education to steer clear of anything which may trench upon the religious element in their teaching is sometimes ludicrous. We were somewhat amused tbe other day in entering a school not one hundred miles away to witness the following. A alass was then up to spell and we asked the master to show how far the boys were able to define the meaning of word* when applied. The first word spelled was u creation." " Define it." '" Brinfrinqf into being ifrom nothing 1 ." " Stop ! That is a religious idea. That is forbidden. Try again." '' That power in matter by which it eTolrea into 'higher and perfect forms." " Hold '! That is an atheistic idea. That 13 forbidden." " " Well by Jupiter, that is the" " Stop my boy, that is a Pagan idea, prohibited in this school. .Spell soul." "Now define it" " The immortal substance" " Hold on ! Tnat is a religious idea, prohibited!" " Define sin." " A transgression of the divine 'law." " I can't allow that ; that is a religious idea." " That is what my book siys." " «\Vell, all of you bring new books tomorrow " *' Master, whero can we get the .right kind of books ?" " From tthe Colonial GorffrHmentwhen the General Assembly provides a national system of education for ' New Zealand."