HOW EACH RELIGIOUS DENOMINATION MIGHT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF KING'S COLLEGE.

To draw from this scheme, however, its full advantage, both to Literature and Theology, it is necessary that all the Theological Seminaries should with us be in the immediate vicinity of King's College Toronto. Were this the case, all scruples and suspicions would be removed from persons of different Christian Denominations sending their sons thither, since the duty of spiritual guardianship over them might be committed to the Professors in their own Theological Institution; and, were proper Boarding-houses established, under the general supervision of the Professors, and the more direct and personal superintendence of the advanced students of Divinity, as Tutors, the evils that often arise in such places might be prevented, and the literary and moral improvement of the junior students greatly promoted.

PRUDENCE DICTATES THE NECESSITY OF PROVIDING FOR THE DISCIPLINE OF STUDENTS.

It is very clear that, in the present state of society, in our large towns, it would be quite impossible to procure, at any moderate charge, boarding for five or six hundred young men in private houses; and, I very much doubt whether, even if it were practicable, greater evils might not be generated than those which have sometimes arisen, where young men are collected in numbers in the same edifice. However this may be, there seems to be no alternative; and, in my opinion, a measure thus rendered necessary may even be turned to advantage. By appointing the advanced students of Divinity to act as Tutors in these Boarding establishments, disorder and irregularity may be prevented. and the junior students be assisted in their private studies, while an opportunity may be offered to parents, who possess larger means, to obtain chambers in the edifice for their sons, for whom they may, if they think fit, engage the entire services of a Tutor of the highest qualifications.

With such conveniences, it might be expected that the youth of all classes, for whom a liberal education is designed, would avail themselves of the advantages presented, in connection with the University, and the public would be satisfied that, under so liberal an administration, neither the endowments granted by the State, nor those raised from private liberality, had been bestowed in vain.

GENERAL EFFECT OF THE MEASURES HEREIN SUGGESTED ON THE PROVISIONS FOR THE STUDY

OF THEOLOGY.

But it is more closely connected with my present object to state my opinion of the general effect of such a measure, as that now recommended, upon the study of Sacred Literature.

It might perhaps be thought hazardous by some to favour the erection of Theological Seminaries by different Religious Denominations in which jarring creeds would be taught, and angry controversies kindled, both among the Teachers and their disciples, from which heats and strifes might be engendered, as unsuitable to the quiet of academic groves, as they are unfavourable to piety and truth. To affirm that there is no danger to be apprehended in this quarter would be to speak in the teeth of many an instructive lesson presented in the histories of literary warfare. But, is the danger of such a magnitude as to form an insurmountable obstacle in the execution of the proposed plan?

The doctrinal symbols of the leading Protestant Denominations in this Country are substantially the same; and, it is very unlikely, were the best men in each Denomination appointed to preside over its own Seminary, that they would give an undue prominence to subordinate and controverted questions; and, even should this happen, in any particular case, it would probably attract little attention beyond the Hall where the folly was displayed.

THE ADVANTAGE, VS. THE HAZARD, OF A WIDE RANGE OF INVESTIGATION IN THEOLOGY.

But while we look at the hazard, let us not turn our eyes away from the advantage. Little is gained to the cause of truth and 10 the intellectual energy of the inquirer, by limiting the range of investigation, by concealing the objections of an adversary, or, by exhibiting every subject always in the same aspect; and I should deem it no small advantage for students, at least in the higher stages of their course, to have men distinguished in different sections of the Church, -as Paley and Pusey, Hill and Chalmers, Wardlaw and Smith, Booth and Hall, Wesley and Watson,-expound each their peculiar views of doctrine and ecclesiastical order; and, I believe that in erudition and perspicacity they might not be a little benefitted. Nay, Sir, I should not even wish to restrict advanced students to Protestant Teachers, but, if an opportunity presented itself of listening to a lecture from the ghost of Peter Dens, or some other learned Doctor of the Sorbonne, I think it might probably be turned to good account, both in their pri

vate studies and in their public ministrations. In some cases they would gain more by listening an hour to such men than by a month's reading on the same subject. Moreover, Sir, I do not imagine that the evil would overbalance the good, were the disciples of Maynooth and Queen's to pitch their tents on the opposite sides of a quadrangle in the College Avenue, and come out daily, Sundays excepted, upon the intermediate area to try which had the best in the argument. Among generous youth, such contests might neither be bitter, nor unseemly; and even though truth for a time should make few proselytes, the extremes of error would be moderated in a region of free discussion, and intolerance and superstition would become less pernicious in the near neighborhood of liberality and evangelism.

HOW MUCH WOULD DEPEND UPON THE PERSONNEL OF THE THEOLOGICAL TEACHERS.

My chief hope of success, however, rests on the character of the men who should be appointed to teach in these Theological Seminaries. Should the evangelical Professors be men of extensive erudition and eminent ability, of enlightened and scriptural views, heartily disposed to a mental submersion of dogmas, doubtful and unimportant, and sincerely desirous of promoting the unity of the Church, they might, by affectionate conference and united prayer. and hallowed investigation, attain to such a harmony of judgment and of feeling in sacred things as, in its communication to their respective classes, and by them to the Congregations of which they may become the spiritual Guides, would prepare the way for the healing of those divisions which are the reproach of our Common Faith, and a sore hindrance to our religious and political well being. When we contemplate the mighty influence which one or two men, holding an exalted station in an university, may exert upon the ministry of the Church, and, through it, upon all its Members, the hope that I have ventured to express ought not to be denounced as chimerical and delusive. It would not be easy to estimate the effect which the labours of the late venerable Professor of Divinity in the University of Glasgow, or of the present celebrated Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh, had in reviving a more evangelical temper in the Ministers of the Church of Scotland; and, from the resu ́t of Pusey's labours in Oxford, we may learn also what an influence for evil may rest with one individual. So what might not Protestant Doctors of equal learning and greater wisdom, accomplish in the same station towards perfecting that Reformation for which we have so many reasons to bless God?

WHERE RELIGIOUS SCHISMS MOSTLY ORIGINATE.

As most of the remarkable schisms that have rent the Church have originated with the learned, and in seats of learning, we look to the same quarter for the instruments that shall heal them. When the Gamaliels are perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment, we shall probably see unity among those that sit at their feet; and I can see no more likely way of accomplishing this than by placing in friendly juxtaposition, around the same University, the most learned and pious men of all parties, devoted to the study of the Divine science of Theology, who may together occasionally look into the gulfs of mystery that they cannot fathom, define the points about which it is not worth while to dispute, and agree to take their place side by side as brethren, on the sure and common ground clearly prepared for them by the revelation of God.

RESULTS WHICH MIGHT FOLLOW IF THE KING'S COLLEGE COUNCIL SECONDED THESE VIEWS.

Were the Council of King's College, on the one hand, and the several Religious Denominations on the other, to act in conformity with these views, the cause of general education would be a gainer by the inheritance of ampler funds and a wider diffusion of knowledge ;-and the sacred Science of Theology would flourish more under the care of the Church, which is its proper guardian.

NIAGARA, 7th June, 1842.

ROBERT MCGILL.

LETTER VI.-THE RECENT MOVEMENT IN FAVOUR OF POPULAR EDUCATION IN UPPER CANADA NOT WIDE-SPREAD IN ITS INFLUENCE.

It is interesting to know from an independent source, such as is represented by the Writer of these Letters, what was the state of popular feeling in regard to Common School Education in Upper Canada, in 1841, when the foundation of our Public School System was first laid. Collateral evidence of another kind point also in the same direction. Up to that time the Country Schools were, as a rule,

conducted by very inferior Teachers, and, at the least possible cost, in the way of Salaries. Besides, taxation for school purposes was unknown, and School Houses were of the rudest construction,-of rough logs, generally-with slab roofing. (The testimony of the local Superintedents of Schools, quoted on pages 286, 7 of the Fifth Volume of this Documentary History fully confirms these statements).

Apart from these facts, the Common School Act of 1841 was very unpopular; and a formal Report on the subject was adopted by the Home District Council in February, 1842, as given on pages 223, 4 of the same Fifth Volume. See also pages 232, 3 and 267.

Bishop Strachan's objection to the Common School Act of 1841 was solely on religious grounds. See pages 269, 70 of the Fifth Volume of this History. Mr. McGill's Sixth Letter is as follows::

Although little has yet been done for its advancement in Canada, Education has always been a favorite topic among the people. Their Representatives in the Provincial Assembly have not failed, for some years, to give it a large space in their deliberations. The appropriation of monies for its support from the public treasury could always have been a popular measure,—a circumstance that would naturally lead to the conclusion that the benefits of education were duly appreciated among us. But, Sir, I think I have observed certain indications, on the part of the people in certain quarters, since the attempt has been made to carry into effect the present Common School Law (of 1841),* which have awakened in me the suspicion that, notwithstanding all the noise upon the subject; education is not really held in high estimation among us, and is very far from being sure of a liberal maintenance.

THE TAXATION AUTHORIZED BY THE SCHOOL ACT OF 1841 WILL LIKELY PREVENT ITS SUCCESS.

The munificent appropriation of £5? 000 annually is indeed a very well liked part of the measure but taxation to an equal, or a larger, amount by the District Councils is, by no means, so palatable; and, although, the school fees have been reduced, in lieu of this. by more than one half; and, although, the amount to be raised by taxation, at least from families, in which there are children, to obtain the benefit of the law, will probably be less than the sum saved to them by the reduction of the school fees, yet I greatly fear that the scheme, with this condition, will drag heavily; and that our Canadian love of education will, in the end, be found no match for our Canadian hatred of taxation. It will, by and by, I think, appear that a grant from the public Treasury is a popular measure only so long as it is drawn from sources not directly connected with the people's pockets,-preventing a drain upon them, rather than creating one.

I confess to you, Sir, that I have seen nothing within the range of my own observation that would authorize me to conclude that there existed anv very general disposition among the people, either by a voluntary liberality on their part, or by a willing submission to be taxed, to afford to Common Schools a secure and sufficient maintenance. Cheap education is wanted; I have not seen much desire for any improvement in quality ; and I rather fear that the low-priced article, hawked about by illiterate intinerants who are too lazy for manual labor for which alone they are fitted, will preclude the possibility of very generally introducing that better ware which can be expected only from educated and well paid men.‡

SUCH A STATE OF FEELING IS NOT FAVOURABLE FOR THE SUCCESS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

I make this allusion to the popular feeling, as respects Common School Education, to introduce my opinion, that we must not look for much sympathy from this quarter in behalf of Collegiate Institutions, and how desirable it is that these should be placed upon a foundation which the vox populi could not, by any of its sudden and capricious warblings, disturb. The

*For a copy of this Common School Act of 1841, See pages 48-55 of the Fourth Volume of this Documentary History.

+ For the circumstances under which this munificent grant was made, see pages 159, 160 of the same Fourth Volume.

This opinion in regard to the popular indifference to the necessity for good Teachers is amply borne out by the equally strong opinions on the subject quoted on page 307 of the Second Volume of this History; and on page 3, 137 and 245 of the Third Volume.

existence and support of Colleges should not rest on the uncertain issues of a vote in our House of Assembly, but should be drawn from sources, the permanent gift of the State, which, though it may have left itself the power to regulate, shall not have left itself the power to revoke. Because King's College is thus endowed, I should cling to it in preference to an Institution that depended on voluntary contributious, or on the no less precarious chances of the vote of a Legislature, composed of such heterogeneous materials as ours.

QUESTIONABLE CHANCES OF SUPPORT FOR QUEEN'S COLLEGE FROM THE Legislature.

If it were contemplated to derive any support from the Legislature for Queen's College, several causes would operate powerfully against it. The tedious delays and provoking mismanagement of the Toronto University would probably deter the Legislature from granting much aid to another college. until the one already endowed were brought into operation, and it were made fully evident that a second was required. Besides, on many peculiar grounds, I fear, we might not always be able to ensure a successful application. Our Charter, notwithstanding it contains some liberal provisions, possesses undeniably a sectarian character; its whole hard-lined countenance is Presbyterian; and, though this has endeared it to not a few, it might have a very different effect should Queen's be introduced as a suppliant before a political body, the majority of whose members would probably mistake Her Majesty (in the person of Queen) as a veritable effigy of John Knox.

It would be impossible, and I am sure, Sir, you will agree with me in thinking, that it would be very far from being desirable to divest our Church of those characteristics, by which she has been distinguished from the earliest period of the Reformation. With all our liberality, and, I believe, we are not more deficient in this virtue than any of our neighbours, we can never as a body be brought to shake hands with the Pope; and, your own experience will enable you to judge what effect these warlike movements are likely to produce upon the French, should we ever come before them, asking an alms for our Presbyterian College.

But the fact is, Sir, prelacy owes us as bitter a grudge as popery, for since the olden time, the Presbyterian gorge rose as high in looking at the mitre, as at the triple-crown. To our confused optics, they are taken for "brither's bairns," and on their part both are inclined to deal with us very much in the one style, as may be seen, passim, in our Canadian Chronicles. I say nothing, at present, of the friendships we might purchase from the representatives of the smaller sects, and, at how much it might be estimated; my design in adverting to these points is to dissuade our Trustees from making any application to the Legislature for aid to Queen's College. It will certainly be denounced by our charitable opponents, -as the trick of a Yankee slaver displaying the flag of liberty,-a cruise of sectarian piracy under the colours of science. Now, Sir, I abominate all deception whether in Jesuit or Presbyter. I would do much to free our name from the very suspicion of it, while in the manner of an Aberdeen diplomatist in an analogous instance, I would publish a manifesto,

"That it was not consistent with the honour of Presbytery to allow any other body to prosper "through such deceitful stratagems.'

THE STATE HAS PROVIDED FOR SECULAR EDUCATION, SHOULD WE NOT ENDOW THEOLOGY.

Let the State act in consistency with its avowed principles. Let it sustain, by a liberal patronage, the branches of education that are common to all, in Institutions bearing its own name, and under its own control, and let the different Religious Denominations sustain and govern what is peculiar to themselves, by any method they may like best.

And if the State should exercise this liberality, as it has already done, in a measure, by the ample endowment of King's College; and should we, availing ourselves of the privileges afforded in that Institution, be exonerated from all charge for the support of secular literature, we might then begin to inquire how far we are prepared to accomplish that which peculiarly belongs to us as a Religious Denomination. I take it for granted that, in this new view of the case, no objections would be started on the part of any of the subscribers. Should they be convinced that the cause of general education will be promoted by this arrangement, they will, without hesitation, approve of the conduct of the Trustees in appropriating the entire fund to the department of Theology.

IN SOLICITING SUBSCRIPTIONS We Pledged OURSELVES TO PROVIDE FOR THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION.

We have obtained aid, I believe, from none who are not quite as favourable to the Church as they are to science, or who will refuse to acquiesce in any measure by which both may be most effectually served. The truth is, the arguments which were employed by those who most

webaceesome for Queen's were chiefly drawn from the religious destitution of the over of educating young men for the Ministry amongst ourselves; and, zhuge an insistent with the sanctity of the Church and the Sabbath to avail Pom in de work of solicitation,—a liberty we should never have used, had not the po aliqui se que reraxi mainly into our design. General literature, indeed, was pleaded „dex x 297 mmary to the other, and, though it was our design that Queen's College The mowing of a liberal education to the sons of the wealthy who had no profession hose who might intend to follow the professions of Law and Medicine, woning object was to secure facilities for educating candidates for the Holy hey "led for the liberality of a Christian people in the circumstances of this sport of secular education, except in so far as it is subservient to a sacred object, nement, be altogether illegitimate. The Church has far more than enough to in her own proper undertakings.

·SONAL PERINORS GIVEN THAT THEOLOGICAL TEACHING WAS OUR MAIN PURPOSE.

so far I had any part in this College movement, I constantly declared, agreeably to shop that the Commission of Synod took in the initiative, that our main object was to endowments for Theological Chairs stating, at the same time, that the Professors who appointed to them would be required to teach in the preliminary branches, until it ch** 27 he found practicable to appoint distinct Professors for them. We have no doubt, therethat all the subscribers to Queen's College will rejoice should it be found safe and practiable to retum to our claims upon King's College for arts and literature, and to appropriate all the funds that have been, or may be collected, to the maintenance of our Theological Faculty.

WE ARE

STILL LARGELY HANDICAPPED IN CARRYING OUT OUR LEGITIMATE CHURCH SCHEMES.

sum that our

Should it appear in the progress of negotiation that this course is left open and safe to us, there is still a vast deal to be done in order to carry out even that part of the Charter which is peculiar to us as a Religious Body. Our subscriptions are very far from having reached the with their £6, £10, £25, £50 and £100, the beautiful conception of a single dollar from each of 100,000 Presbyterians' has not been realized. This statement is not intended for complaint, but rather to suggest the difficulty of carrying out a project so extensive in a thinly peopled and recent Colony, and at a time when we had scarcely recovered from the disastrous effects of Anarchy and rebellion.

sanguine calculators anticipated. Though many of our friends have come forward

WE SHOULD NOT BE DISCOURAGED BY CONTRAST WITH THE CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES.

Let them reproach

Considering how small a part of the field has yet been brought under contribution, we ought rather to be encouraged by the progress we have made than mortified with the idea of failure. with that of the Presbyterian Church of the United States in a similar effort though its communicants alone, in 1837, were 220,557, and its adherents probably not fewer than one million began their Theological Seminary at Princeton, New Jersey, in 1809; and it was announced to of souls. This Church, in the United States, with which we have numerous kindred relations, the General Assembly in 1821, that foundations for three professorships had been commenced, and that for this purpose a capital sum of £20,000 should be raised within the bounds of four of their wealthiest Synods. I learn from a report, made after an interval of twenty years, that required to be made up every year for the Professors' salaries by congregational collections; not one of these endowments had been fully completed, and that a considerable deficiency was and all this, be it observed, amidst a people remarkable for their liberality towards public objects, in a period of great commercial prosperity, and while the chairs were filled by men who have few superiors on this Continent.

us who have done better. Our success contrasts, by no means unfavourably,

WHAT ARE OUR PRESENT FINANCIAL PROSPECTS FOR QUEEN'S COLLEGE?
With all the experience of the past

that may be fitted to repress extravagant expectations,

considering that we have money and other property already in possession exceeding £12,000, and £6,000 of uncollected subscriptions, and a large portion of our people yet unsolicited, we

assure ourselves that funds will be obtained to complete our undertaking within the fourth of twenty years from the date of its commencement.