2 JUNE 1894, Page 16

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION.

To THE EDITOR OF THE "SrearsT0p.."1 SIR,—I have for very many years taken a deep interest in elementary education. I met with the following experience this afternoon ; it is not encouraging, though I think it puzzling and interesting :—An unusually intelligent-looking lad offered to carry my bag for me for a consideration. The lad appeared to me about eleven ; and we talked. He had passed the fifth standard, and had attended the Wesleyan school. Was he a Wesleyan? Certainly. Would he, for an extra penny, tell me the date of John Wesley ? He did not know, and declined to guess. Did he know anything of John Wesley ? Yes, certainly; he was shot. Where ? At Jerusa- lem. On what occasion ? A battle between whom ? The Philistines and Egyptians. The boy's answers were obviously bond fide, and his last word to me was his assurance that he was not mistaken ; it certainly was Philistines and Egyptians who were engaged ; what he felt most doubtful about was on which aide John Wesley was fighting, and why. For himself, he was certainly a Wesleyan.—I am, Sir,