The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-04-19 00:00:00

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A place,
outward

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that

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they

and_ had made s(
progress In the e ....ard buildings. Not that th
had done all that could be desired in that respect,
as Earl Dudley had said, for the church was not
so good as they wished, but it was a goodly church.
They had made fair provision for the wants of the
neighbourhood in the provision of those schools,
but considering the large population of the place,
more accommodation would be still required; but
what had been done had been well done. He
hoped also that soon they should see provision
made in the shape of a residence proper for the
minister of the church. No parochial district was
complete without that provision was secured. In
reference to education he would call attention to
one point. They were in the habit in this country
of considering the law was wiser than any one of
those subjected to it, because it was the outcome
of the collective wisdom and deliberation of the
whole country. Now, the law was very complete
so far as it went, and what was ? It was that the
whole people should be educated or taught—(hear,
hear). It did not require that in every place there
should be a school building provided by law—by
the taxes and rates. The law required nothing of
the kind. Again, the law required that not only
the children of the labouring classes should be
taught, but that all classes should be taught. The
law did not require that all children should be
taught at school. It was not generally recognised
, that education was as necessary as food and cloth-
ing, and as much as it compelled them to find
food. The parent, however, was at perfect liberty
to teach his child at home, if he taught it properly
and to the satisfaction of the Government In-
spector. It would be better, however, for the
parent not to teach his child himself, for a child
was better taught and better done by, in regard to
its moral, intellectual, and physical nature, by
being sent to school. The argument in favour of
sending the children to school would go still
futher, when it was considered that most persons
were not able to teach their children. The cry
had been for the provision of schools for the
children of the poor, more than any other class,
for many years past, and so much had not been
done for the middle classes. He hoped to see the
time when some of the public money should be
devoted to the education of the children;.of the.
middle classes which had been used for the upper
classes. He thought there should be something
like equality, and that no one should have any
excuse for having his child not properly taught—
(applause). There were some who desired to see
education without religion, but that was contrary
to the wishes of the Legislature. In conclusion he
spoke of the good which schools like that would
do in the matter of religious instruction, and com-
mended to the clergy and parents the neccessity
of doing all they could to support such education
—(applause).
The Rev. F. Keatch spoke of the necessity of
further help to pay for the erection of the schools,
and expressed a hope that help would be forth-
coming from some of the wealthy ratepayers. He
thanked the Earl and Countess of Dudley, and
Lord and Lady LYttelton, for their kindness in
coming to assist them, and said that her Majesty
could not be welcomed with much wore enthusiasm
than they were—(applause).
The Ven. Archdeacon Hone said he remembered
that about five or six years ago the parish was in
a state of destitution so far as the church and
schools were concerned. Now they had a church
which was exceedingly well attended, and that day
the schools were opened. He acknowledged the
assistance that had been given from all quarters,
and expressed gratitude to the Earl and Countess
of Dudley, and Lord and Lady Lyttelton, for the
interest they had taken in the work—(applause).
The Countess of Dudley then said I have been
requested to declare that these schools are now
open, and I trust that every success may attend
them—(applause).
The meeting then terminated.
In the evening a tea meeting was held, after
which addresses were delivered by various gentle-
men.