RELIGIOUS EDUCATION—A VILLAGE SETTLEMENT.
[TO THE EDITOR OF TEl "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—" An ounce of fact is worth a pound of argument." Will you allow me a little space to describe the educational settle- ment in a Leicestershire village, the facts of which have recently come under my notice ? Some six years ago the managers of the Church school were in need of funds. Nonconformists agreed to subscribe on the condition that they had representa- tion and that the religions instruction was made undenomi- national. An agreement was come to, and for six years the following system has been at work without the slightest friction. The parents of all the children, with the exception of one, have asked for simple religious instruction, given by the schoolmaster. About fifty per cent. of the parents have asked in writing for extra Church of England instruction, and these have been given lessons once a week for half-an-hour by a representative of the rector of the parish. Three things stand out prominently :—(1) That the parents desire religious instruction; (2) that the Church parents do not object to this religious instruction; (3) that facilities have been granted for supplying the extra teaching desired by about half the parents. There has been peace in the school and peace in the village. Is there not something to be learnt from this settle- ment in connection with the coming Education Bill fk—I am,
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