Manchester and the Movement for National Elementary Education, 1800-1870

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1918 edition. Excerpt: ...a startling volte-face from the declaration of five months before, which ran: The religious sects must be left to make such exertions as their benevolence may suggest, and their resources support. But in excluding the direct agency of the religious bodies in our system, we are very far from intending to disown the importance of religion in education. A thorough education, we know, involves a careful religious training. Such a training is, however, the work of the parent. Would that the fostering influence of a Christian home could be had for every child. 1 On 30th October 1850, the National Conference met at Manchester under the chairmanship of Alexander Henry, M.P. It included many members of Parliament and representatives from every part of England; and Thomas Carlyle, though not present, wrote: From the origin of your Association I have on every possible opportunity expressed my hearty good-will to it: and I rejoice very much to witness the success it now seems rapidly attaining. The first resolution, proposed by Absalom Wat kin, read: That the Lancashire Public School Association be resolved into a society to be called the National Secular School Association for the establishment by law in England and Wales of a general system of secular instruction to be maintained by local rates and under the management of local authorities specially selected by the ratepayers. A lengthy discussion took place, and Cobden early intervened to object to the word Secular in the title, which, in his opinion, meant not religious, whereas what they wanted to express was non-sectarian. The chairman accepted the suggestion, but several delegates spoke against the alteration, notably Dr Hodgson...