Page:The Conscience Clause (Oakley, 1866).djvu/7



pamphlet arose out of an invitation to defend the Conscience Clause, at a meeting of London clergy and a few laity, against the opposition to be offered to it by Archdeacon Denison in person. I thought it better to meet the Archdeacon with a carefully-prepared statement, in order not to be tripped up on some small matter of fact connected with the long-drawn history of the case by one so long familiar with all its details. It will be easily understood how materials for the defence accumulated, on a careful study of Blue-books, Minutes of the Committee of Council, Reports, and published correspondences, all of which suggested at every turn points of undoubted importance necessary to a complete statement of the case. The result was that this paper outgrew the purpose for which it was prepared; and when, moreover, only half the expected time was left for its delivery, it had to be curtailed beyond my worst expectations, and I could only pick out a fact here and an argument there as seemed most appropriate at the moment. This, though satisfactory enough upon these points, was manifestly unjust to the case as a whole. Some who thus partly heard or have since read it, thought it desirable that so full a statement of the case should be made public. I have thought it worth while to publish it for several reasons; and not less since it appeared that some who