[To TIM EDITOR OF TEE "SPECTATOR." J
SIR,-4 am among those of your readers who view with a deep sense of gratitude the wise and moderate line you have taken
on the Education Bill.
It is probable that the extreme views of the bulk of the clergy as set forth in meetings for the wholesale condemnation of the Bill are a very inadequate criterion of the true feeling of the laity on this matter. I believe that the vast majority of laymen and Nonconformists are heartily tired of the controversy, and recog- nise the fact that a peaceable settlement, giving as far as possible satisfaction to both parties, and not the victory of Church over Nonconformity, or vice-versa, should form the object to be attained. Such I know to be the predominant feeling in the country parish to which I belong (where eight hundred inhabi- tants are fairly equally divided between Church and Chapel), in spite of the fact that a fortnight ago the Bill was expounded to the Church people by clergy who could find for it nothing but the bitterest condemnation. It seems to me that if this Bill is to form a final settlement of the controversy, it is the duty of those among Churchmen and Nonconformists who desire that it should do so to give expres- sion to thoir view' without delay. To d8 so, I would suggest that in every pazislif_where such a thing is possible, a conference
• be held between ciPurchmen and Nonconforialts, and thati,ali that covfetence a scheme be devised which, if irwere carried into effect, would, in the opinion of those present, give satisfaction to both parties in the parish. Concession on both sides museform the spirit of such conferences. I do not think the number con- ferring need be large : if, say, the churchwardens and sidesmen, and, of course, where possible the vicar, were to meet an equal number of the leading Nonconformists in the parish, and these were to meet in the right spirit, all that is required could probably be done. Those who meet need not feel that they confer otherwise than as individuals. I would further suggest that the interval between the passing of the Bill by the House of Commons and its presentation to the House of Lords be used for such conferences, and that the result of each conference, if satisfactory to those attending it, be sent to the Minister in
charge of the Bill in the House of Lords, and also tOthe Leader of the Opposition in the House of Lords.
In regard to a basis for discussion in these eonf&ences, I cannot do better than suggest the amendments to the Bill embodied by Mr. George Macmillan in his Memorial to the Archbishops :--
(1) That all religious teaching, whether denominational or undenominational, should, subject to the Conscience Clause, be given in school hours.
(2) That in the transferred schools the ordinary teachers should have the option of giving denominational teaching on the two mornings in the week, at the expense of the denomination.
(3) That, if desired by the parents, facilities for denominational teaching at the expense of the denominations should beeoffered in all schools alike.
Bun Rising, Banbury.
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