RELIGIOUS EDUCATION.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—In the discussion that is now going on as to whether children should or should not receive religious instruction, I think there may possibly be some interest iu a letter written nearly seventy years ago (1803) on the same subject. Of course, the opinion expressed would only hold good as regards schools where the school is, as it often is, the sole religious instructor. The object of the letter, which is addressed to the writer's sister, is to justify .Paley for having used reason to support revelation, instead of accepting revelation without the exercise of reason, but I have omitted all the notice of his book :— " Friday, March 24th, 1803.—In the education of children, it is the undoubted duty of every parent or guardian to educate thorn in, and prejudice them in favour of, that religion which they themselves believe to bo true, but it is no less their duty to instruct them when their judg- ment is matured in the grcuud of that faith, and the reasouabloness of those doctrines which they have before taught them to profess and revere. Without this, all merit which could render us fit objects for the exercise of the redeeming love would bo done away, the spirit of our religion would be lost ; it would then stand no higher than the supersti- tious adoration of a monkey. Modern philosophers and the moral theologians have laid down a now rule for our conduct in this matter, which they sot forth as a discovery of this enlightened ago. Instead of the Train up a child in the way ho should go,' we have maxims of this purport, ' Lot your ohildren grow up without religious prejudices ; alt human opinions are liable to error, take care, therefore that you do not bias their minds towards what you may consider right, and then they will doubtless choose out for themselves with judgment pure and uncor- rupted "the good."' I will not inquire what may be expected to be the state of such if they die before they have found this treasure, but is it to bo expected that they ever should find it? Is it likely that the Evil One will, after so long undisturbed possession, relinquish his power, or
that the All-Efficient Reason will at once subdue him ? We need not hesitate a moment to determine,—we may judge from the violence of those combats, even when we have all the assistance of superstition, as they are pleased to call inculcated religion, and which they allow to be a most powerful engine. I need not go farther to show you that I do not consider this as sound doctrine, but lot us take carelost in too hastily avoid- ing it we fall into another no less dangerous oxtrome,—let us not forbid those who may be supposed capable, with the assistance of God, to. examine and determine the truth of their religion. IIad this been prevented formerly, I should not now be a member of our pure Church, for which privilege I hope over to have a proper regard and gratitude ;. nor should I have been reading this day a defence of it made by the proper application of the human faculties to judge of things divine."
Then follows the notice of Paley.—I am, Sir, &c., E. G. T. F.
Previous page
