DENOMINATIONAL EDUCATION.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] Sin,—It is certain that in order to obtain a satisfactory and permanent solution of the problem of religions education in our elementary schools, the disabilities of Nonconformists in the thousands of parishes where no school other than a Church-school exists must be frankly recognised and dealt with. As a small contribution to the debate on this subject, I venture to give my experience of a plan which has been in operation for some time in this country parish, and which has so far met with complete success. The only school in the parish is an endowed Church of England school, managed under a trust-deed by eight managers, three of whom are ex officio, the others, as vacancies occur, being elected by the trustees. There is no provision in the deed that the elected members should belong to the Church of England, though it provided that the Catechism should be taught as a part of the religious instruction. On two vacancies occurring a few
years ago, I persuaded the trustees to elect a Noncon- formist to fill one of the vacant posts, and to accept the nomination of the parents of the children attending the school for the other. I then called the parents together and impressed them that whilst we claimed instruction in the Prayer-book and Catechism for our own children, we had no desire to enforce it upon the children of those people who had conscientious objections to it. That we had, therefore, arranged to have the Prayer-book taught on one day of the week, and that an alternative lesson would be provided for those who preferred simple Biblical instruc- tion. As a matter of fact, whilst the parents were glad to elect a trustee, and thanked us for the offer of an alternative lesson not a single one withdrew his child from the instruction in Church doctrine. And on more than one occasion the children of Nonconformist parents have won the yearly prize at the diocesan inspection in religious knowledge. As the endowment is small, a considerable sum is raised yearly by a voluntary rate to which Churchmen and Nonconformists alike contribute. And we have no difficulties or grievances, financial, religious, or otherwise. I cannot help thinking that if there were a little more desire, both on the part of Church- men and Nonconformists, not to score a victory, but to arrange matters on a fair and just basis, it would be comparatively easy to settle this unhappy controversy.—I am, Sir, Sze.,
Pytchley Vicarage, December 6th. E. GATES.
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