The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-09-21 00:00:00

THE WESLEYANS AND HIGHER
EDUCATION.

For a long time past it hag been matter of regret
among the Wesleyan Methodista that the sons c.f many
of their wealthy families gradually forsook the Church
of their fatter, on going to the higher schools and
to the Universities. Of late the attention of the
Wesleyans has been especially directed to this and other
matters connected with the great educational institu-
tions of the country. An estate had been purchased
at Cambridge by Sir Fraucia Lycett, Mr. MArthur,
M.P., Mr. J. T. Budgett, the Rev. W. Arthur, and
others on behalf of Methodism, and the intent! dis is to
errect upon the estate a complete educational establish-
ment, consisting of a High School auil hoot-Is. In tire
latter Wesleyan young gentlemen piusu.ug their studies
at the University can, if they choose, nod a quiet and
comfortable home; while the High School will be a
capitaltrainioginstitution f orthe IJuiversity itself. The
youths who have snocesisfullyst udied at Wesley College,
Tauton, or Kingewoo3, or Woodoeuse•grove, might, if
in,ending to finiah with a University education, h.:
transferred to the establishment at Cambridge, and be
greatly aided by ita advantages It is tnore than pri liable
that the Cambria-I,re project will be carried to comple-
tion. Considerable changes are also thought of in
reference to Kitigswood and Woodhou.e-grove. In
these schools hitherto ohly the eons of Wesleyan
miuisters have been educated. But more than a year
ago a Commilwrion was appointed to consider if any
asic
whit hoprovonents conk! he nude in the scboabr The
re-pit of this Commit-non and of the committee which
appointed it was preaented tothe late Conference. The
report has been Feinted and contaius many suggestions
of considerable importanpe. The following, among
other changes, were recommended to the favourable
consideration of the Conftnence :-
1 That one of the a hoots be set apart for the younger,
thee ther for the older scholars.
2. Tout the az* of ad inisaion to the school be altered fp-m
nine to ten )e rl. Layne any exceptional ease to be sp..cially
moldered.
3 That no boy be admitted ti the soh tel e ithout piping
an ex mil, ation not lower than that preecrihed for the fourth
standsod in the Revised Code.
4 Tbot the age at which scholars shall pass from the
innior to the as: tor school shall in all ordinary cases he 13,
or as s ear thereto as the times of ex imivati. in e ill admit,
5. That the Upper School shall be divided into two depart-
mentr—a classical and a modern.
6. That the c lute and methods of Instruction in the junior
school shs 111.1 be under the general eirection of the head
master of the upper school, and that the staff of the junior
school coneist of 4 heut master with the requisite number of
assistant masters and pupidteachers.
7. That in order to secure unity of management, and for
other reasons, the government of both "schools be placed
under one board of management, or general committee, to
consist of a limited number of persons.
These proposals in reference to Kingswood and
Woodhouse-grove schools are not finally determined
upon, but it is likely t sat moat of them will be ulti-
mately adopted. The committee WWI reappointed in
order further to consider them. The admission of the
eons of the laymen into these hitherto exclusive schools
to share the advantages with the mons of the ministers
is a somewhat new proposal, and though the Wesleyans
are at present divided upon the question, the tendency
in favour of opening the schools to the laymen is in-
creasing.