Page:A Plea for the Middle Classes.djvu/14

 the chief schools of the kingdom,—founded, some of them, by the most holy and learned men of their age,—aim expressly at training up the middle classes in the faith and fear of God, and in such sound principles of knowledge as might fit them to serve their country in their several stations with the greatest advantage. The two extremes—the rich and the poor—will both find means in abundance for obtaining the education best suited to each. But the middle classes are above charity on the one hand, and on the other, as a body, cannot give sufficient remuneration to secure competent teachers when the Church withdraws her help.

You are aware, perhaps, that a society has been formed, the object of which is, to grant diplomas to schoolmasters, without any theological test. If they should succeed, they may do much mischief, unless we forestal them. As yet, in England, when the Church does offer help, her children, after all, would sooner have it of Her than elsewhere. If our claims were equal, the majority would listen to us rather than to others; but if we neglect them altogether, they must go where they can. The present news from Paris will suggest the result. Some, I know, look to Governments for everything. For my part, in the present state of parties in this kingdom, I heartily trust that Government will not interfere, it would be unjust. But if it did, and its arrangements and teaching were unexceptionable, it yet could not cure one of the chief evils of which I complain, nor fill up that void which now exists in the disseverance of the Clergy and people. Nothing but the Church can do the Church's work: and if ever there was a time when the call to labour was urgent, it is now. All Europe, seemingly, is about to reap the fruits of its neglect, and we can scarcely hope to be exempted. Duties neglected will ever avenge themselves. "Be sure your sin will find you out" is the Divine monition. Religious commotions are ever the most bitter and fatal. Blessings abused are 's scourges wherewith He chastises the disobedient. Wealth well applied "purchases us a good reward in the day of necessity;" abused, it plunges us deeper in impenitency and ruin. Children, well trained up in the way they should go, are the stay and comfort of declining years; neglected, they bring down the grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. The sons and daughters of the Church, if cherished in her bosom, are her glory and delight,— the fruit of promise, the joy and light of her countenance, "as she speaks with her enemies in the gate:" but the same, cast out and left to wander, are