Page:The Conscience Clause in 1866.djvu/12

8 and asked for information and assistance. In October, 1843, he brought the subject before the British and Foreign School Society, and induced them to appoint the Rev. John Phillips as agent in North Wales, with the duty of promoting the establishment of British schools. In 1853 they appointed the Rev. William Roberts to the same office in South Wales; Previous to 1843 there were scarcely any British schools in Wales: there are now more than 300.

The relative numbers of Churchmen and Dissenters in Wales are variously estimated as 1 to 4, or 1 to 5. The property, however, is chiefly in the hands of Churchmen. The Calvinistic Methodists are by far the prevalent sect.

Mr. Owen thinks that the Conscience Clause, which appears to be framed for the relief of a minority, is not adapted to Wales, where those for whose relief it is devised would be largely in the majority. (2860.) He laments the want of harmony between Churchmen and Dissenters; he would make all possible efforts to induce their united action rather than see two schools founded; and suggests some such scheme as this, (2841:)

1. That the management be vested in subscribers of not less than ten shillings per annum.

2. That the parish clergyman be ex officio chairman of the committee.

3. That the Holy Scriptures be read and taught daily.

4. That no catechism or creed peculiar to any religious denomination be used during school hours.

5. That the duty of regular attendance at some place of worship and Sunday School selected by the parents be urged on the children.

Excellent and honourable are Mr. Owen's intentions from his point of view, but we shall find that Welsh Dissenters generally, though they agree in his rejection of the Conscience Clause, do not concur in the measure he proposes to substitute.

The Rev., agent to the British and Foreign School Society in North Wales, states, (2617—20:) that to meet the peculiarities of Wales a grant should be made for Church schools, and also for a school on liberal principles wherever a sufficient number—say fifty—children could be supplied to