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Foreign schools. 5707. "Generally the Bible is taught." "There is no catechism taught." 5753. "A chapter of the "Bible is read." 5754. "There would be no exposition. I have never known any exposition given in any British school at all."
Mr. Charles joins the protest against the Conscience Clause. If a Church school were offered with a Conscience Clause, a mixed committee of Churchmen and Dissenters, and the clergyman as chairman, the Dissenters, if in a majority, would refuse it. (5748.) "They would feel it to be degrading to themselves to be subject to the Conscience Clause." 5750. "They would soon come out, and have a school of their own, rather than submit to a Conscience Clause."
Mr. Evan Davies was for some years principal of a Training College on the principles of the British and Foreign School Society, and is intimately acquainted with school work throughout South Wales.
Mr. Evan Davies being asked (5862) whether he considers a Church school, even with a Conscience Clause, a proper school for the rural parishes in Wales, replies—"I do not." "I think no school would be satisfactory to the Welsh Dissenters in the management and control of which they were not recognised as having a full share and right."
Mr. Davies' evidence concludes as follows: —
"5937. Is it your own view with regard to this question that we should put out of consideration everything in the nature of a national Church?—I think so. 5938. Or anything like a national profession of religion? —
I would not say that.
5939. How would you maintain a national profession of religion by putting all denominations on an equality?—I should say that we must put aside a preference to the national Church.
5940. Is it consistent with your views that there should be an organ, by which the nation, as a nation, should profess any form of religion?—It is not consistent with my views.
5941. Mr. Liddell.] You stated, did you not, that the system which would be most acceptable to Dissenters in Wales, would be one in which the religious instruction was left en-
