THE NEW REGULATIONS AND BIBLE-TEACHING. [To THE EDITOR Or THE
"SPECTATOE.1 SIR,—In last week's Spectator Sir Charles T. Dyke Acland desires—and his wish is re-echoed by all who care for true religion—that the Bible should be taught in elementary schools, and that the teacher should be specially trained. But to master the intricate and controversial problems of theology is entirely beyond the scope of the elementary teacher. When Mr. Rogers, of Bishopsgate, broke out into his often-quoted exclamation, he spoke from the bottom of his heart. It is the ethical side of Christianity which is a matter of common interest to the country at large ; it is the character of Christ as revealed in the Gospels,—His utterances, His laws of life, which all Christians of every denomination desire to impress on the minds of the young. Christ as the example rather than Christ as the propitiation is the theme to be dwelt upon; the course of instruction on the Bible should be limited strictly to this point of view, and the Old Testament used to reinforce the great lessons of the Christian character. The Christian virtues, courage, patience, humility, truthfulness, kindness, Sm., should be made matters, not of precept only but of example. When the missionary asked the Chinaman whether he had heard of Christianity, his answer was : " No; I have seen it." The spirit emanating from the teacher will be far more effective than accuracy of information, mostly, if not entirely, derived from other sources, and not the fruit of individual thought. His interest in his young charges will quicken his desire to learn. The experiments in oral examina- tion all tend this way. The West Riding County Council has set an admirable example, which one may hope will be widely followed. We are beginning to see that to trust in written examination is a costly wastefulness, cramping the mind and substituting routine for a free activity. That we are learning some of the follies of routine is quaintly shown by the modest title of another correspondent's letter, "A Plea for a Rational Military Saddle." W bat is rational does not commend itself 'per se. We have to plead for it.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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