Page:The "Conscience Clause" (Denison, 1866).djvu/22

18 because to the Church, they are "the Catholic Faith." The Baptist says to him it is something else—what, I do not attempt to say, but—certainly not "the Catholic Faith." The Socinian again talks of Doctrines and Revelation—I had rather not attempt to define what he means by either; but one thing is plain to all men, that the Doctrines of revealed religion to him, and to the Churchman, are things as opposed as darkness is to light. It is not conceivable then that in the words I have cited, "my Lords" meant to include all three under the same category. But the "Conscience Clause," which is "my Lords" act, proceeds upon the assumption that, substantially, they are all three under the same category, with certain differences, not of kind, but of degree; and all of them capable of being solved by "the daily reading of the Scriptures in the Schools," and to be lamented by an enlightened time—a time of science and learning and wisdom—as having any existence, and any need of solution at all. Thus the Committee of Council endorse the broadest of all "Broad Churchism." The truth being that the only religion compatible with the exercise of the "Conscience Clause" is, not Revealed Religion at all, but Natural Religion, and, it is to be feared in the end, not much of this even.

But, it is replied, after all, supposing much or most of what you say to be true, and not capable of being disputed—which is indeed the only correct account of it—the "Conscience Clause" is only of rare and exceptional application. Is it? It is applicable now to the cases of all schools of small parishes. I suppose upon the principle of "fiat experimentum in corpore vili." Though why a poor little parish is to be sacrificed more than a big rich one it is not easy to say, unless it be because it is easier to bully a small place than a large one. Are we then going to have no care for the small parishes, which, indeed, upon the principles of the Education Grant, ought all to have been helped long ago. Is there to be one rule in Council of Education for