We have - called attention elsewhere to the exact effect of
the proposed Government amendments on the Education Bill, and the apparent resolve to leave a good many of the moot-points to be decided in Committee. We may add that, in spite of Mr. Winterbotham's disclaimer, all the omens are now of a favourable character on the part of the Dissenters, and, as far as we can see, also on the part of the Government. At least Mr. Gladstone's answer to Wednesday's deputations on the subject of the exclusion of for- mularies and catechisms from the rate-built schools, gives us every reason to expect that he will not make any difficulty on that point, which is the one of most moment as a party question. "About the exclusion of formularies as a matter of fact there would be no
difficulty," said the Prime Minister, "but he feared the local boards would not go further than they were bound to go by that exclusion." Well, but that exclusion will enormously strengthen the hands of the unsectarian party on the various school-boards, and serve, as we have elsewhere contended, as a significant notice to schoolmasters of the real intention of the Legislature,—which is more than half the battle. The intrinsic difficulty of making the direct religious teaching of children sectarian and dogmatic, if it is to be of the slightest living interest, will do the rest.
