NATIONAL EDUCATION. 



77 



them teachers of high character. People generally believe that to 

 sustain a man's character he must have a religious belief, and the 

 question therefore comes before us, whether the State has any 

 right or duty to secure to the children education in theology, and 

 whether, if it exerts any compulsion for this purpose, it will be 

 effectual. This consideration does not involve any question of con- 

 troversial theology. Indeed, it immediately concerns the position of 

 members of this Institution. The exclusion of theology from public 

 schools is said to make them irreligious. We exclude it. Are we 

 therefore irreligious? Members do not change their characters 

 when they come to our meetings. They are just as much or as 

 little irreligious as at any other time. All men admit religion and 

 theology to be distinct. Men of all creeds would acknowledge it 

 to be out of place to bring theology forward in ordinary intercourse 

 with others, and would think it altogether wrong for a man to put 

 aside his religion at any time. It is said that if a teacher docs not 

 teach theology, he will not be able to correct moral faults ; but is 

 this so in every-day life ? Any person would be able to express 

 indignation at an immorality without making reference to theology. 

 We might also, by making theology a necessary part of the school 

 teaching, lose the services of many conscientious teachers, who 

 feel quite competent to teach secular matters, but do not consider 

 themselves fit to teach the theology they believe, or do not wish to 

 teach it under the appearance of compulsion, and therefore give 

 up the profession. 



So much as to the possibility of stopping with secular knowledge 

 in public schools. Now as to its desirability. Men of all creeds 

 agree that they have a message to men about spiritual matters 

 which must be accepted voluntarily, if at all. The very appearance 

 of pressure ought therefore to be avoided. All agree, again, that 

 the message is the greatest blessing men have received. All ap- 

 pearance, then, of using devices or bribes to procure its acceptance 

 ought also to be scrupulously avoided. If the attendance of 

 children at schools where theology is taught is compelled, and their 

 parents are not able to object to their learning it without putting 

 themselves in an invidious position, must it not necessarily be 

 taught under an appearance of compulsion, to say the least. It is 

 useless to talk of the great advantage that might accrue, if the 

 thing is wrong. (lentlemen should remember the saying of Arch- 

 deacon Hare, "lie who does evil that good may come, pays a toll 



