NATIONAL EDUCATION,

&c. &c.

THE subject of National Education having deeply engrossed public attention; and views, directly at variance with each other, having gone forth to the world, as expressed in our legislative assemblies; at public meetings; by the clergy from their pulpits; and by the press in every varied form;-it is by no means a matter of surprise that a controversy should have arisen, calculated to produce much excitement, and promote general enquiry. Into the arena of controversy I am not disposed to enter, but shall satisfy myself by endeavouring to shew to what extent our National System of Instruction may be improved, and rendered more scriptural and more efficient than any other system in Europe. If a few districts may be found, where educational instruction has been neglected, or has not kept pace with an increasing population, it must be admitted that the evidence afforded by the statistical returns of schools, goes far to prove that the clergy, as a body, have not disregarded this interesting department of their duty to so great an extent, as might be inferred from the aspersive statements put forth by their opponents.

We do not attempt to conceal the fact, that our National System of Education will admit of considerable improvement, and that the circumstances of the times are such as to require that some determined efforts be made, in order to arrest the progress of infant secession on one hand, and, on the other, to oppose by inoffensive, but simultaneous exertion, the spirit of latitudinarianism now in secret and designed operation against the national institutions of this great country: Of these, none presents so fair a field to work upon, as that which is likely to detach the youthful mind and affections from the Established Church and her clergy, rendering it cognizant and approving of every kind of error, under the fostering guidance of a specious liberality.

There is, doubtlessly, a great mass of persons who, although separate from us, are with singleness of heart, devoting their time, their influence, and their wealth, to the promotion of good among the rising generation; but it is equally true, that there are many who plausibly manifest an affecting concern for the education of the poor, only to support some political party, or attain some political distinction. In a christian country like ours, the cause of Education is the cause of God; whilst, therefore, we would not discourage the attainment of general information by the rising generation, but, contrariwise, promote it to the utmost of our ability, we dare not attach undue importance to it. The first duty of the clergy is to see that our children are brought up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." The children of the poor-the major part of whom are

designed to earn and eat their bread by the sweat of their brow--are, under the Divine blessing, entirely dependent upon religious instruction for the formation of right principles; and if destitute of such principles, where are we to look for individual protection or public security! Where there is talent it cannot be repressed: We know that men of the greatest celebrity have sprung from the humblest classes of society, whose distinguishing merits have done honour to the land of their birth. It is by no means necessary, however, to teach our children, generally, the elements of Natural Philosophy, or estimate a child's fitness for society by his acquaintance with some branch of popular science. If it be desirable, which it unquestionably is, that suitable works should be prepared to advance children as far as time and circumstances will enable them to go in the pursuit of general knowledge, it is much more so, that the Bible, in its pure and unmutilated form, should be made the basis of such Education;-to insist upon this is a christian duty; to enforce and aid it, the duty and prerogative of the State.

If by defectiveness of system, or recklessness of consequences, we do not advance with the times-if we quietly suffer the affections and associations of the rising generation to be alienated from us, we have no right to complain even should opposition increase, and resistance become valueless. Great exertions are at length, being made, and great blessings will ensue. It is said that we have above one million of children in our schools, but "what are these among so many?" It is a sad necessity which compels us to compare numbers

with those who are opposed to us. We should treat with forbearance such as openly avow their hostility towards us, but boldly and manfully resist every uncalled for encroachment. We need, and it is our duty to solicit the aid, influence, and support of laymen; yet it would amount to an almost renunciation of the christian minister's authority, to suffer laymen to prescribe for the religious education of our children.*

It must not be forgotten that many of the disagreeables with which we have had, and still have to contend, we have brought upon ourselves; had every parish possessed a school, under the superintending influence of a resident clergyman, there would have been but little excuse for many well-meaning, and, in many instances, truly benevolent individuals going into the various sections of the episcopal vineyard to instruct the infant poor;† yet, it is but just on the other hand to observe that, in some cases where there could be no plea for opposition, other schools have been set up, which have covertly had the effect of drawing many children away from the Church. With truth, too,

The insidious scheme lately proposed by Government, was set forth without the concurrence of the archbishops or bishops of the realm, whose assent or dissent should be paramount in such matters, as long, at least, as Church and State are allied to each other.

Our remarks refer principally to England;-or we might note the exertions of the late Rev. Mr. Charles, of Bala, in Wales (Vide his Memoirs). The truly excellent Mrs. Hannah More, for many years, used to visit a destitute district about the Mendip Hills, in Somersetshire, and not only established but superintended schools, in the midst of the most persecuting and bearish opposition. This information was communicated to me by many of her pupils, who are now living in that neighbourhood.

it

may be further remarked, our dissenting neighbours have gained as great an accession of numbers through the medium of their schools, as they have through the lack of church accommodation and pastoral aid.

*

To remedy existing defects, and stimulate to exertion, union and co-operation must be effected between the heads of the church and the clergy, and between the clergy and the laity. Much has been done; much is now doing; and to meet the wants of an increasing population, much, very much, is yet to be done. It is not enough that we hear of public meetings in the metropolis, and here and there in large towns; we must have them in all our towns, and in our villages also, for these, after all, constitute the sinews and ligatures of the Church. Let our system of instruction, both in Day and Sunday schools, be rendered more complete and uniform;† let our doors be opened for the children of dissenters, as well as the young of our flocks; let us get rid of the necessity of either

*It is much to be regretted that we are obliged to have recourse to these means, but we have no alternative; they are adopted by others, and, humbling as is the remark, we must be content to tread in their steps. Every thing associated with religious duties should be conducted without the aid of excitement,-if excitement be necessary, it proves that the hearts of the people are cold, and themselves indifferent.

The want of uniformity of instruction in many Sunday schools, shuts them out from the diocenal union, as many of the clergy make use of books not published by the society in London; the irregularity, however, is easily met, by providing an improved class of works, of which we shall have occasion to treat hereafter.

Such a suggestion may perhaps startle many who read it; but I believe it to be frequently done in Sunday, though not in Day schools. I was never yet in any parish where the children of dissenters did not