DOGMATIC RELIGIOUS TEACHING IN • SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
[T•., THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—Is there not some insincerity in the demand for daily denominational teaching of religion in public elementary schools? It would be interesting to discover what is the prevailing practice in secondary schools. Some thirty years ago I had the honour to be on the foundation of an ancient Cathedral school, then under the control of the Dean and Chapter, and staffed throughout by masters belonging to the Church of England. "Definite religious instructiofi," of which we are now hearing so much, was given only on one day in the week, as the first lesson on Monday morning. It is true that school opened and closed with prayers and the reading of a lesson from the Bible by a monitor. But there was nothing denominational in this. It is also true that foundation scholars were compelled to attend the Cathedral services on Sunday and certain Holy Days. But I believe that this regulation is now relaxed; and it is certain that the sermons of the Dean and Canons were not designed for the edification of schoolboys.—I am, Sir, &c., M.A. CANTAB.
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