66 We cannot see in these provisions, that the obligation is limited to the mere teaching of the English language. It appears that the better knowledge of God and the civil and moral duties of the people, were equally the objects of the legislature. Although the Reformation subsequently rendered obsolete the direction, that the clergy should “bid the beads in English,” we see nothing to annul the obligations imposed by the other provisions of the act. But whatever doubt might be entertained, if the question rested upon the construction of the act of Henry Eighth alone, we agree with his Grace the Archbishop of Dublin, in thinking, that any such doubt is removed altogether by the act of William Third, which enjoins the strict execution of the act of Henry Eighth, with respect to schools. Every clergyman accordingly is still required by law to take an oath at institution to that effect, which is in the following terms: 66 as away. But the duty of keeping or causing his parish come to him to learn the same, "to be kept an English school, I conceive to "taking for the keeping of the same school "be still in force under the statute. The mis-" such convenient stipend or salary as in the "take that has prevailed on this head seems to "said land is accustomably used to be given." "be, that the clergy are bound by this act, and "the oath prescribed by it, to keep a free "school; whereas the act expressly describes "the school to be kept not as a free school, but, on the contrary, as one in which a stipend is "to be paid by the scholars resorting to it, con"ditioning only that the stipend shall be such "as is usually paid by scholars in English "schools in that district of the country; at the same time I conceive that the clergy are to "the utmost of their power bound to keep, or 66 see that there be kept, an English school for "the instruction of the poor, although they "are not bound to see that it shall be a free "school. The true intention of the law I con"sider to be conveyed and enforced in the act "of the 7th of William Third, intituled An "Act to restrain Foreign Education.' In this "act it is declared that the clergy shall, in their "respective parishes or districts, keep English "schools, or cause them to be kept, according "to the true intent and spirit of the act of "Henry the Eighth; and this, I conceive, sets "aside all those minor considerations growing" 66 out of the change of times, and brings the" "matter to the fair honest equity of the case, "that the clergy were intended to be the "guardians of the education of the country, "and to promote it in every fair and practi"cable way. I have always felt it as such, and "considered that the oath imposed on the clergy "at institution bore broadly upon this, without "entering into the minutia of the legal consi"deration which admit of, and have led to, a 66 great deal of special pleading; but which, "when gone into, even with a liberal interpre“tation, seem decidedly to preclude the idea "that the clergy are bound to keep free schools." It is obvious to us, that the intention of the The careful instruction of the children in the statute of Henry Eighth was not pecuniary con- Bible, not merely by making them read it, but tribution, but superintendence, and that it did by fixing their attention to its doctrines and impose the latter duty. This act, after reciting, | precepts, and by exercising their minds in the amongst other things, "the importance of a perception of their true force and meaning, is "good instruction in the most blessed laws of the first and most important object of Protestant "Almighty God;" and further reciting His religious education. In addition to this, the Majesty's disposition and zeal, that "a certain teaching one catechism to the children of the "direction and order be had, that all we his Church of England, and one also to the Presby"subjects should the better know God, and do terians, is the course which appears to be ap"that thing that might in time be and redound proved by persons qualified to form an opinion 66 to our wealth, quiet, and commodity," pro- on the subject. The mode of giving religious ceeds, after a variety of enactments tending to instruction, by teaching in succession a variety the suppression of the Irish, and the introduc-of catechisms, has been condemned to us by high tion of the English language and customs, to authority, and has, we believe, deservedly fallen require an oath to be administered to every into disrepute. clergyman at ordination, and another at insti- It is stated by Mr. Daly, as the result of his tution, that amongst other things "he should practice in the schools superintended by him in “keep, or cause to be kept, within the place, his parish of Powerscourt, that he finds the territory, or parish, where he shall have pre-children who attend to the comment and ex“eminence, rule, benefice, or promotion, aplanation of a limited portion of the Scriptures, "school for to learn English, if any children of which are given by him at certain periods of "I do solemnly swear, That I will teach or cause to be taught an English school within the vicarage or rectory of the law in that case requires." Under these circumstances, a responsibility is imposed on the clergy, which is the more inconvenient, as its limits and nature are but imperfectly defined, though it certainly exposes them to the liability of being deprived of their benefices, if convicted a third time of not complying with the provisions of the act. We therefore recommend, that this uncertain duty should hereafter be limited to their personal superintendence of the religious instruction to be given to the Protestant children of the Established Church in the public parochial schools which we shall hereafter recommend to be established. the week, make more progress in religious" such a system as should unite children of all knowledge than others who range through a "religious denominations in the same schools, greater extent, without the advantage of expo- except when it should become unavoidably sition. The nature and extent of the religious " necessary to separate them for the purpose instruction to be administered to the children" of religious instruction. of the Established Church will, however, be "They observed, that they considered this more properly arranged by the clergy, under“ a point of great importance to the interests the direction of their respective diocesans. "of the state, as it was only by training up tain the sentiments of Dr. Murray and of the Roman Catholic clergy. In many parts of Ireland it would occur, that “ the youth of all persuasions in habits of early a very large proportion of the Protestant child-" intercourse and attachment, that they could ren in attendance on the schools would be of" hope to establish among them those reciprothe Presbyterian church; the care of the Pro-" cal charities upon which the peace and hartestant children would, in these cases, respec- mony of society must depend. tively devolve on the clergymen of the Esta- "The Commissioners then stated, that they blished Church, and the Presbyterian ministers," could not consider any system of education whose inclination we are assured it would con- 66 as deserving that name which should not tinue to be, as it now is their practice, to attend" seek to lay the foundations of all moral obliparticularly to the instruction of the children" gation in religious instruction; and that with of their flock, in their catechisms and other" respect to the religious instruction of Roman religious exercises. To afford facilities for this" Catholic children, they were anxious to ascerpurpose, we recommend, that in those parts of " Ireland where the Presbyterians are found in considerable numbers, provision should be made "They therefore inquired whether there in each of the public parochial schools of united" would be any objection to common literary general instruction, for the appointment of a "instruction being received by Roman Cathoteacher of that communion, who, besides his "lics, as well from a Protestant as a Roman services in the common instruction of the "Catholic master; and whether religious inschool, may assist in the separate religious in-"struction could be given to Roman Catholics struction of the Presbyterian children, under" by a Roman Catholic layman approved of by the superintendence of the minister. "the proper Roman Catholic pastor. Having thus far explained our views as to "Dr. Murray stated, that there could be no the religious education of the different classes" possible objection to Roman Catholics reof Protestant children in Ireland, we now come "ceiving literary instruction from a Protestto the consideration of the religious instruction" ant, nor to their receiving religious instrucof the Roman Catholics. We had learnt that "tion from a Roman Catholic layman approved they not only wished that their children should" of by the proper Roman Catholic pastor; and receive instruction in the doctrines of their" he added, that the providing of proper persons faith, but were also anxious that such instruc-" for such purpose would be a great relief to tion should not be left in the hands of persons" the Roman Catholic clergy. professing a different belief. In the reasonableness of this desire we could not but acquiesce. "The Commissioners then suggested, that "schools might be established, in each of We therefore felt it necessary to have an in-" which there should be both a Protestant and terview with the four archbishops of the Ro-" Roman Catholic lay teacher, by whom eduman Catholic Church in Ireland, for the purpose" cation in common might be administered; so of ascertaining their opinions in what manner "that the children, united in the same classes, religious instruction ought to be provided for "should learn from the same masters, and use the children of Roman Catholics. The sub-"the same books; that for the remuneration stance of our conference will best be understood" of such teachers, adequate means might be from the minute made upon the occasion, which" provided; that the Roman Catholic teacher we shall here insert. "might assist in the general literary instruc"Minutes of a conversation between His" tion, and might give separate religious in"Majesty's Commissioners of Education In-"struction to the Roman Catholic children, "quiry, and the most reverend Dr. Murray, "subject to the direction of their pastors, and one of the archbishops of the Roman Catho-" that the school-room, for a reasonable portion "lic Church in Ireland. "of time, on one or two days in the week, "might be appropriated exclusively to that "Board of Education Inquiry, “Dublin, Thursday, 16th December, 1824."" object. "In these suggestions for uniting Protestant "The Commissioners being desirous of as- "and Roman Catholic children in literary, and "certaining the views of Dr. Murray, and" separating them only for religious instruc"of the Roman Catholic clergy in Ireland, on ❝tion, Dr. Murray expressed his concurrence. "some important points connected with a "The Commissioners then observed, that "general plan of education, stated to Dr." separate religious instruction should not Murray that they were anxious to establish" commence until the difference of religious C "belief should make it impossible for instruc-" the separate religious instruction of Roman "tion any longer to be received in common; "Catholics meant, that the proper Roman " and they inquired whether it would be ob-" Catholic pastors should have the right of "jected to, on the part of the Roman Catholic" being present on those occasions, and giving "clergy, that the more advanced of the Pro-"such religious instruction as they should "testant and Roman Catholic children should," think proper, and that what was said of (6 at certain times during school hours, read" masters applied also to mistresses. The "portions of the Holy Scriptures together," archbishops who were not present on the "and in the same classes, but out of their" 16th, expressed a wish to consider the mat"respective versions, subject to proper regula-" ter until to-morrow." ❝tions, and in the presence of their respective "Protestant and Roman Catholic teachers; "suggesting, at the same time, that opportuni- " "ties might be afforded to the teachers of each 66 persuasion to explain to the children se"parately the portions so read. "Dr. Murray answered, that serious diffi"culties would exist in the way of such an "arrangement; and in lieu of it he proposed, "that the Holy Scriptures should be used "only when the Roman Catholic children "should be taken apart for the purpose of "receiving religious instruction, and he said, "that there could be no possible objection to "the Roman Catholic children then reading 66 out of the sacred volume itself, the gospels "and epistles of the week: he added, that no “objection would be made to an harmony of "the gospels being used in the general educa"tion which the children should receive in 66 "The Commissioners then stated, that they "considered it of the utmost moment that no "books or catechisms should be admitted either "in the course of the literary or religious in"struction, containing matter calculated to "excite contempt, hatred, or any uncharitable "feeling in any class towards persons of a dif"ferent religious persuasion. January 8th. "PATRICK CURTIS, D.D. After a careful review of the whole of this subject, the delicacy and embarrassments of which are exceeded only by its importance, our minds have been led to the conclusion, that no better system for providing a general and united education can now be adopted than that which we proceed to recommend. It is not possible for us, in the present Report, to define every part of its details; it will, we trust, be sufficient to point out the leading principles on which the system should rest. common, nor to a volume containing extracts We propose that public schools of general "from the Psalms, Proverbs, and book of instruction shall be established, one at least in “Ecclesiasticus, nor to a volume containing each benefice, in which literary instruction shall "the history of the creation-of the deluge be communicated to children of all religious "of the patriarchs of Joseph-and of the persuasions; that two teachers, to be appointed "deliverance of the Israelites, extracted from by the general superintending authority, (the "the Old Testament; and that he was satis-establishment of which we shall subsequently “fied no difficulties in arranging the details of recommend,) shall be employed in each school, "such works would arise on the part of the where the extent of attendance shall be suf"Roman Catholic clergy. ficient to justify the expense; that they shall each of them be laymen, and that one of them shall be a Roman Catholic, where any considerable number of Roman Catholics are in attendance on the school; and that a Presbyterian teacher shall be provided in those schools, where the number of children belonging to that communion shall render such appointment necessary or expedient; that on two days in the week the school shall break up at an early hour, and the remainder of the day be devoted to the separate religious instruction of the Protestants, the clergyman of the Established Church attending for the purposes at once of superintendence and assistance; and the Presbyterian minister likewise, if he shall so think fit, for the child. ren of his communion. That on two other days of the week the school rooms of general instruction shall in like manner be set apart for the Roman Catholic children; on which occasions, under the care of a Roman Catholic lay teacher, approved of as mentioned in the mi. nute which we have given, they shall read the epistles and gospels of the week, as therein mentioned, and receive such other religious in 66 "To this Dr. Murray cordially assented. (Signed) D. MURRAY, Abp. (Signed) "T. FRANKLAND LEWIS. "J. LESLIE FOSTER. "W. GRANT. "JAMES GLASSFORD. "A. R. BLAKE." "7th January, 1825. "The Commissioners having had an in"terview this day, with the most reverend "Doctors Curtis, Murray, Kelly, and Laffan, "the four archbishops of the Roman Catholic "Church in Ireland, the minute of the 16th "of December last was read; and it was ex"plained, that the passage which related to struction as their pastors (who may attend, if they think fit) shall direct. It may be right to notice, that in the Roman Catholic church there are epistles and gospels appointed, not for Sundays only, but for almost every day in the year, and they comprise altogether a large portion of the Old and New Testament. system proposed. It will be for the Roman Catholic clergy to supply such other books for the purpose of religious instruction as they may desire. We would suggest, however, that many forms of catechisms are now in use amongst the Roman Catholics in the different districts of Ireland, and that it would be expedient that some one or two should be selected or compiled for general use. If the attendance on a school should be so limited as to render both a master and usher unnecessary, the master might be permitted to It will be necessary also to provide a volume take charge of the school of general instruction, compiled from the four gospels, in the manner and be also the religious teacher to the children adverted to in our conference with the Roman of the same persuasion as himself. In such a Catholic archbishops. Such a book, together case, however, a person of a different religion, with the Book of Proverbs, and the work conduly qualified and properly remunerated, might taining the history of the creation, the deluge, attend at those periods in the week when the and other important events, extracted from the school is set apart for the religious instruction Pentateuch, may be profitably used in the of children of a different persuasion from the schools during the period of united and general master, and perform, under proper superintend-instruction. We by no means intend such works ence, the duty of religious teacher to those of his own communion; and it might be possible for the individual appointed to this duty to take charge of the religious instruction in more schools than one in a parish or district. We suggest this arrangement, however, as one which is possible rather than desirable; and express our opinion, that the establishment of parochial schools, sufficiently large to occupy a master and usher, is much the most eligible course. as substitutes for the Holy Scriptures, although we propose that the reading of the Scriptures themselves should be reserved for the time of separate religious instruction. The means by which a system of general instruction can be properly enforced and adminis tered are hardly of less importance than the system itself. That object has not hitherto been accomplished by any one of the institutions which have been supported by the public funds in Ireland. We think it further necessary, that means should be provided for supplying Testaments, The members of the Incorporated Society, the according to the authorised version, for the Pro-Association for discountenancing Vice, and the testant children. With respect to the Roman Catholic children, an edition of the New Testament for their use has been submitted to us by the Roman Catholic prelates. The text of this edition is the Douay version; almost all the notes, however, originally annexed to that version have been omitted. We find, in fact, that there are only sixty-three notes altogether to the four gospels; and these, with the exception of an inconsiderable number, have no peculiar reference to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic church, as distinguished from those of the Protestant churches; and such as have this peculiar reference are expressed in a manner which ought not, we think, to be offensive to any description of persons. The summaries prefixed to the different chapters are in like manner, as it appears to us, unobjectionable. To this edition is also annexed a table of the epistles and gospels throughout the year, specifying the portions of the Scriptures appointed to be read for those purposes by the Roman Catholic church. Deeply impressed with the importance and necessity of introducing the Scriptures into all institutions for the education of the people, as a fundamental part of the instruction, we recommend that copies of this edition of the Testament, omitting the address thereto prefixed, but retaining the notes, should be furnished for the religious instruction of the Roman Catholic children, in every school established upon the Society for the Education of the Poor, all distribute the money granted to them under rules laid down by themselves, the execution of which, it does not appear to us, they have adequate means of enforcing. The latter society, by the employment of inspectors, have done more towards the accomplishment of this object than the others. Their schools, however, as we have already observed, are often in connexion with other societies, which establish rules incompatible with a strict compliance with their own, and practical evasions of their rules are daily occurring. Of the talents, industry, and integrity of the gentlemen who compose the acting committee of the Kildare-street Society, we entertain the highest opinion; but we think they have not the power to effect all the objects which they are desirous of accomplishing. We are of opinion, that any society consisting of a large and fluctuating body of subscribers, who are • A work of this description, entitled, "An Evangelical "Life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, forming an Harmony of the Four Gospels," sanctioned by the Roman It consists Catholic prelates, has been examined by us. order pursued is chronological. Where any particular oc- is inserted. Where the same particulars are stated in two or more, the statement is inserted from that gospel in which it is the most full. work, have been omitted in an edition which we have examined. The notes, originally annexed in an Appendix to this bound by no other rules than those which they | as little delay as may be; and, secondly, that impose upon themselves, cannot permanently be there should be no new admissions of children the most proper instrument for directing and until the total number be so far reduced that the controlling a system of general education, main-establishment can be maintained by its own pri tained principally by the public money, in a vate funds. It will then be for the Society to country which unfortunately abounds in distrust judge in what manner they can most usefully and jealousy on account of religious opinions. apply the large revenues which have been enFor the foundation and management of such trusted to them by the donation or bequests of schools of general instruction as we recommend, charitable individuals, and to decide whether it we think that a distinct Board should be ap- be still expedient to maintain boarding-schools pointed by Government, of persons responsible at so large an expense, and, as we think, to for the execution of the duty committed to their so little purpose. They have already acted upon charge; and who should be invested with suf- the principle of establishing day-schools; and if ficient authority to control the application and hereafter they should determine to extend their expenditure of the public money appropriated application of that principle, the superintendence to the purposes of general education. The and management of the schools maintained by Board should, we think, appoint inspectors, who them might readily be brought under the powers should be enabled to examine upon oath. The of the Board which we have recommended to be schoolmasters, also, we think, should be sworn established. A more desirable course, and, per to conform to the rules laid down by the board haps, still more conducive to the interests of the for their guidance. It will be necessary for this Established Church, would, in our judgment, be Board to have the entire control of all money an application of their funds to the assistance of to be applied to the maintenance of the schools the Association for discountenancing Vice, in under their care, from whatever sources it may the distribution of religious books, and the probe derived; to have a legal right to the school- motion of catechetical instruction. house, either by a permanent grant in the case of a parochial school, or by possession being transferred to them, for a period not less than a year, in the case of a school belonging to a private patron receiving aid from the Board. They should have the sole power also of appointing and dismissing all masters and assistants, and of admitting or rejecting all books or papers which may be read in their schools. The establishment of such an authority, for the purposes we have mentioned, renders it necessary to consider what course should be adopted with respect to the societies now supported or assisted by public grant. We have next to consider of the course which it is desirable to pursue, with respect to the Association for discountenancing Vice. Of this society, the objects are threefold: to promote catechetical instruction; to distribute Bibles, Prayer-books, and other books of religious instruction; and to give assistance to schools established by the clergy. We have already stated our opinion, that the obligation of providing schools should be removed from the clergy, and that they should be charged only with the duty of personally superintending the religious education of children of the Established Church, in their respective schools of general parochial instruction. With that duty, the distribution of Bibles and Prayer-books, and the promotion of catechetical instruction, strictly conform; and we think the Association would constitute a most useful auxiliary to the clergy of the Established Church in those objects. With respect to their present schools, we think it desirable that they should be transferred as much as possi ble to the general control and inspection of the new Board, and that every facility should be The first which presents itself to our notice is the Incorporated Society. It has been our duty to give so detailed an account of the schools under its direction, that little more can be now necessary than to state our conviction, that no care or anxiety, however great, on the part of the many benevolent and distinguished persons concerned in its management, can ever successfully counteract the defects inherent both in its plans and constitution; and we are therefore obliged to suggest the expediency of gradually with-given for that purpose. drawing the public aid from that Society, and of The Kildare-place Society directs its atten leaving it to the management of its own funds, tion to the publication and sale of cheap and which we conceive considerably exceed £7,000 per annum. useful books, a model-school for the training of masters and mistresses, and to the maintenance We think that these schools are now to be of schools for instruction. The selection and judged of, not as institutions for conversion, but arrangement of the books have been extremely rather as places of education: and as such we well conducted, and we have no doubt, that the are clearly of opinion that, under all the circum- various works which they have prepared are as stances which it has been our duty to detail, well calculated as any can be for schools of genethey ought no longer to derive aid from the pub-ral instruction, from which every thing is to be lic revenue. The course which we think should be pursued, with respect to the reduction of these schools, is, first, that all children who are fit to be apprenticed should be disposed of with excluded which can offend the religious tears of any persuasion of Christians. We think, therefore, that the arrangement and circulation of such books for the use of schools, and the sale |