Everyone who has to do with children at thepresent day, directly or indirectly, must in someform or another have felt the difficulty of instructingthem in the details of religious faith, withoutleaving them open to the assaults of doubt hereafter,
when they encounter the results of scientificinquiry.
Sometimes the old truths and the new truthsseem to conflict; and though everyone must beaware that such internecine warfare between truthscan be an appearance only, the reconciliation is noteasily perceived: nor is the task simplified by thehostile attitude adopted towards each other by someof the upholders of orthodox Christianity.
It is sometimes said to be impossible for a teacherto educate a class subject to compulsory attendance,in a spirit of weal-th, peace, and godliness, withoutinfringing the legitimate demands of somebody;but the difficulty is caused chiefly by sectariananimosity, which may take a variety of forms.
These religious and educational disputes would beof small consequence, and might even be stimulatingto thought and fervour, were it not that one dangeris imminent:—a danger lest the nation, in despair ofa happier settlement, should consent to a system ofcompulsory secularism; and forbid, in the public partof the curriculum of elementary schools, not onlyany form of worship, but any mention of a SupremeBeing, and any quotation from the literature left usby the Saints, Apostles, Prophets, of all ages.
If so excentric a negation is brought about by thewarfare of denominations, they will surely all regardit as a lamentable result.
Meanwhile, in the hope and belief that the greatbulk of the teachers of this country are eager andanxious to do their duty, and lead the childrencommitted to their care along the ways of righteousness,—beingdeterred therefrom in some cases onlyby the difficulty of following out their ideals amidthe turmoil of voices, and in other cases by theiruncertainty of how far the “old paths” can stillbe pursued in the light of modern knowledge,—Ihave attempted the task of formulating the fundamentals,or substance,<