THE " FUNDAMENTALS " COMPROMISE—ITS DIFFICULTIES.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPILOTATOR:1
Snt,—It is good news that you are still open to discussion on one at least of the aspects of the education question,—the point of view, i.e., of those who invite us to a compromise on "fundamental Christianity." And despite the misgivings of some who foresee grave difficulty in arriving at an authorita- tive definition of "fundamental," and opine that the word is but "undenominational writ small," I would not deny that such a compromise as would abundantly have satisfied nine hundred and ninety-nine out of every thousand parents of the children concerned might be arranged without much difficulty, —on one unfortunately non-existent condition, viz., that no "graceless zealots" had existed or found a hearing in either of the contending parties. But, alas! such zealots do exist, some, I fear, even on both sides ; and have succeeded in monopolising much more than their fair share of attention, and the unhappy parents are but confounded and stunned by the dreadful pother kept up o'er their heads by a conflict waged by classes other than their own. In the circumstances, I own that it seems somewhat hopeless to attempt to suggest the lines of a compromise on the basis indicated. But subject to your further indulgence, I might be glad to indicate on a future occasion what seems a gleam of a better hope in a quite different direction.—I am, Sir, &c., H. E. T.
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