[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR." j SIR,—In view
of your promised article on the Education Bill controversy, I take the liberty to send you a copy of the syllabus which, with slight variations, has been in use here for thirty years. The syllabus was adopted by the first School Board as a result of an electoral contest which gave a Church and Catholic majority. The decision was maintained at the
succeeding election, and the principle has not since been questioned. You will see how absurd is the charge that the syllabus is a Nonconformist system, and also how little it justifies the epithets that have been hurled at its "godless. ness " by irate clerics. I may add that though I have been in close contact with the life of the community for very many years, I have never yet met a parent who grieved because his child did not receive full denominational teaching in our public schools.—I am, Sir, &c.,
CRAS. MacrARIANE,
Chairman Education Committee.
Craigielea, Hutton Avenue, West Hartlepool.
[We have read the syllabus with !--,reat interest, and though we cannot publish it in extenso, may quote the opening prayers :— PRATERS FOR THE OPENING OF SCHOOL.
(To be said by the Head Teacher, all joining in the Lord's Prayer.)
Almighty and most merciful Father, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day, keep us in the same by Thy mighty power; watch over us for good; preserve us in our going out and coming in, and may all our ways be pleasing in Thy sight. Amen.
0 merciful Father, forgive, we pray Thee, our past sins and negligences, and grant in the grace of the Holy Spirit to renew our hearts, that we may amend our lives according to Thy Holy word. Amen.
0 God, the fountain of all wisdom, teach us to know Thee in the days of our youth ; make us wise unto salvation; and enable us to do all our work as unto Thee. Amen.
Bless, 0 Lord, in mercy all our parents, brothers and sisters, teachers, schoolfellows and friends ; may we be kind one to another, and so live together in this life that in the world to come we may have life everlasting. We ask all in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who hath taught us when we pray to say— Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil ; For Thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with us all evermore. Amen."
Such prayers are, of course, typical of undenominational religions instruction, and not exceptional, and yet we are told that such instruction is merely ethical.—ED. Spectator.]
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