Page:The Conscience Clause (Oakley, 1866).djvu/64

52 1. The Conscience Clause does not impair the denominational system. It does not otherwise than by exemption of individual children interfere with the religious teaching of the schools "as fixed by these presents." That "these presents" fix it as a Church of England school for ever, no one denies, or can deny. What religious teaching is given is and must be Church of England teaching.

2. But it does one thing to the denominational system—it touches it at its weak point. All systems have their weak points. I think we have seen to-night several systems that have weak points: the National Church itself—possibly even the National Society. The weak point of the denominational principle is its tendency to the unnecessary multiplication of schools. This, and this alone, the Conscience Clause aims to counteract, and counteracts.

3. I do not say, with Archdeacon Denison, that the denominational principle is the only one upon which it is possible for the Church to co-operate with the State in education. I do not say that it is not so. I believe that the denominational principle, modified by the Conscience Clause, will last us a long while. But I do ask, in anticipation of what I shall say in conclusion, is the Church so enamoured of the name of a "denomination" that she cannot bear to have her claim to it "impaired?"—that she dreads and resists being proved to be something larger, something higher, something more comprehensive?

4. To state that Church schools with a Conscience Clause possess no principle but that of secular education is simply a misstatement. Their religious, if you will their denominational character, remains. They only undertake, for the sake of a great practical advantage to their children and to themselves, to make exceptions in the application of their religious system in favour of those to whom it does not practically apply.

5. Lord Granville's "expressed wish" that the principle of the Conscience Clause be extended to the annual grants as well as to building grants is just an illustration of the gradual progress