10 FEBRUARY 1877, Page 14

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND THE BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL BOARD.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE SPROTATOR:1 La,—The figures at the close of my letter last week were simply intended as information respecting the work the Birmingham Religious Education Society is now doing. Perhaps I ought to have emphasised the word "now."

The purpose of my letter was to remove the Spectator's mis- apprehension of our Society's object and the method of working. You, Sir, seem rather to make light of the distinctive teaching in which a number of denominations can heartily join, although neither Unitarians nor Sacramentalists could acquiesce in it. I am not aware that Mr. Dale has ever advocated more definite religious teaching to children in Board Schools than this, and lam convinced that no School Board possible in Birmingham would authorise teaching so definite. That the instruction given by our Society is "very much of the same kind as that which is given by the London School Board" I must take leave to question, for I am informed by a member of that Board that in their schools the same religious instruction is given by both Catholics and sceptics. It is a first principle with us that religious truth should be taught by those who believe it.—I am, Sir, &c.,