These resolutions of the Baptists have been seconded by a
Con- ference of Nonconformists, called together on Thursday at the Can- non Street Hotel, Mr. Gilpin, M.P. for Northampton, in the chair, to resist the action of the Metropolitan School Board in sanction- ing, as it has a right to do under Clause 25 of the Education Act, the application of rates to pay the fees of children of poor parents at properly qualified denominational schools. The Nonconformists and Mr. Gilpin adopted an address to the Metropolitan School Board, protesting against their bye-law, and entreating them to rescind it, but they spent the greater part of their strength in invective against Mr. Forster and threats of the consequences. They forget, however, to note the consequences of their own proposals,—noi to the Government, but to the compulsory power for which they are rightly so anxious. As Mr. fi,...ter has pointed out, how will they be able to compel a destitute parent who professes a religious objection to send his child to any but a school conducted by people of his own faith, and willingness to send him there, to conform to their views of educational fitness? If the Dissenters succeed la defeating Mr. Forster, they will also succeed in postponiug indefinitely tha most essential provision of the educational reform. The Rev. Dr. Edmond stated that they would cheer Mr. Forster to the echo in fighting 'the battle with ignorance,' but they would not allow him to use unlawful weapons. How if his 'unlawful ' weapon be the nere handle of the only efficient weapon,—cornpulsion ?
