78 .TOUKISrAL OF THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 



to the devil to let him into heaven." Another reason for excluding 

 theological teaching from the public schools is, that religion is 

 needed in eveiy-day life, and therefore children should be brought 

 to recognize that although theology is taught at separate times, and 

 it is undesirable to force it on the attention of those around us, yet 

 its effect should be present at all times. It is also well to make 

 them understand that in life they will meet with people of different 

 creeds to whom they must show, and from whom they must expect, 

 the conduct of good citizens ; and that their religious knowledge 

 is given to enable them to act better and with kindlier sympathy 

 to all, and not to restrict their regard to a few, and this cannot be 

 better done than by causing them from the first to mingle at school 

 on a common citizen basis. There is also the danger that, if 

 theology is allowed to be taught in public schools, the teachers will 

 either do it in a routine way, or ' ' spread and sprinkle it over the 

 surface of things to prevent truth from being dangerous," and 

 neither course is edifying. 



The lecturer, in conclusion, briefly considered the proposals of 

 the i^ational Education League, the ^fational Education Union, and 

 the Government Bill, and spoke of the prospects and opportunities 

 afforded by the establishment of a system in accordance with the 

 views maintained in the lecture. 



^ paper will he read on the 31st March on 



PAUPERISM. 



Mr. a. p. Prowse. 



PROGRAMME. 



Earliest laws relating to the poor — English legislation from an 

 early period to 43rd Elizabeth, 1601, and to Poor Law Amendment 

 Act of 1834-5 — Comparative statement of pauperism in England 

 and the Western Counties for the last ten years — Out-door relief 

 in Plymouth in January, 1869, and January, 1870. Inquiry — Is 

 the principle or the administration of the present Poor Law a 

 failure ? — Impossibility of overtaking pauperism without providing 

 better houses, more food, education, and industrial training for the 

 poor. 



