380 THE SCHOOL BOARDS xv 



have not the least practical acquaintance, and for 

 which they care nothing, unless it derives a 

 political value from its connection with sectarian 

 politics ? 



I cannot but think, then, that the School 

 Boards will have the appearance, but not the 

 reality, of freedom of action, in regard to the 

 subject-matter of what is commonly called 

 " secular " education. 



As respects what is commonly called " religious " 

 education, the power of the Minister of Education 

 is even more despotic. An interest, almost 

 amounting to pathos, attaches itself, in my mind, 

 to the frantic exertions which are at present going 

 on in almost every school division, to elect certain 

 candidates whose names have never before been 

 heard of in connection with education, and who are 

 either sectarian partisans, or nothing. In my own 

 particular division, a body organised ad hoc is 

 moving heaven and earth to get the seven seats 

 filled by seven gentlemen, four of whom are good 

 Churchmen, and three no less good Dissenters. 

 But why should this seven times heated fiery 

 furnace of theological zeal be so desirous to shed 

 its genial warmth over the London School Board ? 

 Can it be that these zealous sectaries mean to 

 evade the solemn pledge given in the Act ? 



" No religious catechism or religious formulary which is dis- 

 tinctive of any particular denomination shall be taught in the 

 school." 



