[To VIZ EDITOR OP TILE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—In your issue of
April 28th, p. 657, you challenge any once who objects to the " moral monster," undenominational instruction, to write to the clerk of the Education Committee of the County Council and ask for a copy of the religious syllabus; and if he is a. man of fairness, it will satisfy him. I have taken you at your word; and in reply I am informed that the following resolution was passed by the Pembroke- shire Education Committee some eighteen months ago : " That this Committee express the desirability that the Bible be read in all provided schools, but that this question and all religious teaching be left entirely to the direction and discretion of the local managers." This means that in a great many schools in the county, as in the old School Board days, there is no Bible reading at all; in many others the Bible is read with- out note or comment. This would hardly satisfy your "man of fairness." I notice that you have referred to the syllabuses of three education authorities (Hants, Surrey, Darlington), in which, apparently, Church and Conservative influences pre- dominated. Can you produce an equally satisfactory syllabus drawn up under Nonconformist and Radical influence,— preferably in Wales ?—I am, Sir, &c., W. a SPURRELL. Cosheston, Pembroke.
[The Return of all the syllabuses used in England and Wales moved for by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and promised by the Government, when made, will, we believe, show that the greater part of the country is covered by syllabuses which are satisfactory in character. When that Return is published we shall hope to discuss in detail the point raised by our correspondent.—ED. Spectator.]
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