6 DECEMBER 1873, Page 3

As far as we know, there is no case in

which a clear Secularist majority has been elected on any School-Board except that at Birmingham. On several the Secularists have improved their posi- tion, and on several the Unsectarians have secured a majority. But the Unsectarians and the Secularists are by no means identical. For instance, a triumph for the Secularists was alleged at Brad- ford. But it is perfectly clear, from an address of the eight Liberals published in the Bradford Observer of November 18, that the majority of the Bradford School Board are entirely committed to the religious policy of the last Board,—namely, that as a general rule, the Bible shall be both read and explained in the time devoted to religions instruction in all schools establisiled by the Board, though all the explanations given are to be in a thoroughly nnsectarian spirit. And no doubt that is the really popular policy throughout England. The parents care little or nothing for the exact shade of the religious teaching to be given. They care a great deal that some religious teaching shall be given. Could they show better sense ?