THE subject of the Education (Scotland) Bill, now before Parliament, is being much discussed by Church courts at the present moment. We are glad to see that strong resolutions are being passed by many of the courts of the larger Presbyterian bodies against clause 17 in said Bill, which clause has to do with Voluntary Schools.
It appears that these schools, which are mostly Roman Catholic, may, under the provisions of the new Bill, be transferred to the management of the local School Boards, and be placed on the same footing, so far as financial maintenance is concerned, as other schools. The Bill secures that the same religious teaching will continue to be given, and that the same amount of time will be devoted to that teaching, as has been the practice hitherto. Still further, it is provided that supervisors of religious instruction, approved by those immediately in charge of these denominational schools, Roman Catholic, etc., will be appointed by the Boards, and that such supervisors will report to the Boards as to the efficiency of the religious and secular instruction imparted. On the other hand, we understand that no provision is made in the Bill for the religious teaching of the Bible and Shorter Catechism, that has been hitherto use and wont in the public schools of Scotland.
It seems to us very plain on the surface of this business that a new step of a very dangerous kind has been taken, which will involve grave consequences. If this Bill becomes law, as it stands, one serious result will be that Roman Catholic schools will be put upon the rates, and that Protestant ratepayers will thus be asked to pay for the upkeep of these institutions along with their own. This is an arrangement that cannot be favourably considered for a moment. All true Protestants are bound to rise as one man against the scheme, and by their united influence compel the Government to remove the unjust and obnoxious clause. The new proposal is to all intents and purposes a plan to endow the Roman Catholic Church, and that with the direct
help of Protestant funds. Many teachers in Roman Catholic schools belong to the special “Religious Orders” of that communion. These instructors, with their peculiar vows, have no salaries; the money due passes with their consent into the coffers of the Church. Such a deplorable issue must be prevented by honourable and strenuous opposition. The injustice of the scheme to the convictions of the country at large is monstrous beyond expression.
It appears to us a very extraordinary thing that the Government would dream of foisting such an arrangement upon the people of Scotland at the present tremendous crisis. The vast majority of the Scottish people are patriotic to the back-bone, and have performed an exceptionally noble and heroic part, at great cost, in the present conflict for justice, freedom, and humanity. While cherishing no malice against their Roman Catholic countrymen, they justly detest the religious system associated with the name, and can give it no countenance of any kind. The Government’s present proposal can be called nothing less than a cruel imposition upon their consciences, too grievous to be borne for a single day. And what, by the way, has the Church of Rome done at the present time to deserve such favourable consideration as this Bill provides? Have not her officials from the Pope downwards (with few exceptions) been decidedly pro-German in their sympathies and efforts, and have they not done all in their power to prevent their men enlisting in the British forces? Bishops and priests have preached and promoted treason and sedition in Ireland to a dreadful extent. Knowing that their members are in a small minority in Scotland, they have been more careful and politic in their movements here. But we have only to scan the scene in Ireland to know what Popery would do for us, if it would have free course in its spirit, aims, and efforts. We shrink with horror from the contemplation of the possibilities.
In conclusion, we must warn the Government that they would do well to retrace their steps without delay. Should the Bill, as presently framed, be passed into law, we can assure them that they may expect a “passive resistance” movement to spring up in Scotland. Sincere and zealous Protestants will refuse to pay rates for the maintenance of Roman Catholicism. Love for Protestant truth is not as strong as it should be among us, but it has not altogether died out. The smoking flax may be fanned into a flame to an extent not anticipated by our Parliamentary rulers. We trust the Most High, in His great mercy, may defeat the present plot to advance the interests of “the Man of sin,” who is doing his utmost at this great crisis to compass our national destruction in every sense of the word! We have touched only on one or two important aspects of the subject under notice, but the remarks that have been made may suffice for the present.
We would merely add that some very useful and instructive articles on the subject are presently appearing in The Bulwark, which our readers will consult with profit.