NONCONFORMISTS AND THE RI:FICTION.
[To TDB EDF:011 OF TRW " sercreroa.-3
Ste,—In your issue of December 3rd " Nonconformist " states that nearly eight thousand schools in England are entirely supported by public funds. I think he does not quite realise that the managers of such schools, in addition to supplying the buildings rent-free, do all the landlord's repairs, extending, altering, and improving the premises when required to do so; that they pay the rates, taxes, and fire insurance ; that the official correspondent gives his services; and that the managers supply all the books for religious instruction. In our school, for instance, the total annual amount thus saved to the rate- payers is 266, and as the cost of the teacher's time in giving religious instruction amounts to only 220, we make an annual present to the ratepayers of about £46. Then, again, it most be borne in mind that the rates and taxes paid by Church- people a great deal more than cover the whole cost of maintaining Church schools. It is quite true that Non- conformists are barred from the head-teachership in Church schools, but is not that position also closed to Churchmen in Nonconformist schools? When Nonconformists complain of the number of our schools and of the head-teacherships that go with them they should remember that they, having got their religion taught in the Board-schools at the expense of the rates, devoted all their energy to building chapels, while we, our consciences offended by undenominationalism, launched out and expended a great many millions in building and maintaining schools, in addition to paying rates for the main- tenance of a system we cordially disliked. Great numbers of Dissenters are indebted to Church schools for their education. Is it quite seemly on their part to strengle their mother ? Mr. Birrell was educated at a Church school, and Mr. Lloyd George owes his education to a school built and endowed by the rector of his parish. As you, Sir, describe the scheme put forth by the Education Settlement Committee as "equit- able," perhaps you would kindly state on what grounds you justify the robbery of about four thousand Church schools. Should any Government legislate on the lines suggested by that Committee, there will be such trouble in the villages as has not been seen in this country for many a long year.—I am, , Gloucester Diocesan Inspecton, Hatherop Rectory, Faiiford.
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