The Express.
London, England, 1847-06-30 00:00:00

DR. CHALMERS ON THE EDUCATIONAL

QUESTION.
The following paper, the last composition on any
public nutter which emanated from the pen of Dr. Chalmers,
will be perused with deep interest by all our readers, both
from the vast importance of the subject discussed, and the
sad consideratioe that the voice which could so wisely
enunciate regarding this and every other topic of practical
bearing on the well being of man, will be heard among as no
more for ever. The paper originated in a conversation which
took place in London on the National Edacation Scheme,
between the lamented deceased and the Honourable Fox
Malik, when the latter, struck by the breadth and general
applicability of the doctor's views, urged hire to commit
them to writing. Dr. Chalmers did so whilst at Whitfield,
Gloucestershire, on his way home: sad the following valuable
document—ennui:iffy practical in its nature, and suited, we
should think, in a country such as Scotland, to unite the
suffrages of the majority in all denominations--was the re-
sult. For our own part, we regard it a legacy of sound,
well-weighed advice to our church and country, to which
both would do well to serve themselves heir :
" It were the best state of things, that we had a parliament
sufficiently theological to discriminate between the right and
the wrong in religion, and to encourage or endow accordingly.
But failing this, it seems to us the next best thing, that in
any public measure for helping on the education of the people,
government were to abstain from ietroducing the element of
religion at all into their part of the scheme, and this
not because they held the matter to be insignificant--
the contrary might be strongly expressed in the preamble
of their act; but on the ground that, in the present
dirided state of the Christian world, they would take
no cognisance of, just beethas they would attempt no
control over, the religion of applicants fir aid—leaving this
matter entire to the parties who had to do with the erection
mid management of the schools which they had been called
upon to asset. A grant by the state upon this footing might
be regarded as being appropriately and exclusively, the ex-
pression of their value for a good secular education.
"The confinement for the time being of any government
measure for schools to this object wc hold to be an imputa-
tion, not so much on the present state of our legislature as
on the present state of the Christian world, now broken up
into sects and parties innumerable, and seemingly incapable
of any effort for so healing these wretched divisions as to
present the rulers of our country with aught like such a
clear and unegivocal majority in favour of what is good and
true, as might at once determine them to flx upon and to
espouse it.
"It is this which has encompassed the government with
dffienities, from which we can see no other method of ex-
trication than the one which we have ventured to suggest.
And as there seems no reason why because of these unre-
solved differences, a public measure for the health of all—
for the recreation of all—for the economic advancement of
all should be held in obeyance, there seems as Wale reason
74, becouee of these differences, a public measure for rids-
"flr the general intelligence of ail should be held in abeyance.
Let the cat, therefore, of all churches and all denomina-
lions alike haP such a measure, whether as carried into effect

MI

by a good education in letters or in e„g?, of the sciences; and,
meanwhile, in these Ter). Sernin'ileS, et the education in re-
beim which the legislature prous providing for be
provided for as freely anl, amply as they will by those who
have undert:itin the cringe of them.
" We hope, as the result of such a scheme, for a
mat venolesomt riviaship on the of many in the great
elm of rearing on the basis otheir respective systems a
morel and Christian population,well taught in the principles
of the Gospel, along with being well taught in the lessons of
ordinary scholarship. Although no attempt should be made
to regulate or enforce the lessons of religion in the inner
hall of legislation, this will not prevent, but rather stimulate
to a greater ea:on:nine in the contest between truth and
falsehood—between light andraarkness—in the outer field of
society ; nor will the result of such a contest in favour of
what is right and good be at all the more unlikely, that the
families of the land have been raised by the helping hand of
the state to a higher platform than before, whether as re.
'pets their health, or, their physical comfort, or their econo-
mic condition, or last of all, their place in the sale of intel-
ligence and learning.
" Religion would, under such a system, be the immediate
product, not of legislation, but of the Christian and philan-
thropic zeal which was obtained throughout society at large*
But it is well when what legislation does for the fulfilment
of its object tends not to the impediment, but rather we
apprehend, to the furtherance of those greater and higher
Weida which are in the contemplation of those whose desires
are chiefly set on the immortal well-being of man.
" Oa the basis of these general views I have two remarks
to offer regarding the government scheme of education.
"1. I should not require a certificate of satisfaction with
the religious progress of the scholars from the managers of
the schools, in order to their receiving the government aid.
Such a certificate from Unitarians or Catholics implies the
direct sanction or countenance by government to their re-
spective creeds, and the responsibility, not of allowing, but,
more than this, of requiring, that these shall be taught to
the children who attend. A bare allowance is but a general
toleration ; but a requirement involves in it all the mischief,
end, I would add, the guilt, of an indiscriminate endowment
for truth and error.
2. I would suffer parents or natural guardians to select
what parts of the education they wanted for their children.
I would not force arithmetic upon them, if all they wanted
was writing and reading ; and as little would I force the
Catechism, or any part of the religious instruction that was
given in the school, if all they wanted was a secular c loca-
tion. That the managers in the church of Begland schools
shall have the power to impose their Catechism upon the
children of dissenters, and still more, to compel their attend-
ance on church, I regard as among the worst parts of the
scheme.
•• The above observatione, it will be seen, meet any ques-
tions which might be put with regard to the applicability of
the scheme in Scotland, or in regard to the use of the Douay
version in Rom Catholic schools.
" I cannot conclude without expressing my despair of any
great or general Good being effected in the way of Christian-
inag our population, but through the medium of a govern-
ment themselves Christian, and endowing the true religion,
which I hold to be their imperitive daty, not because it is
the religion of the many, but because it is true.
"The scheme on which I have now ventured to offer
these few observations I should like to be adopted, not be-
cause it is absolutely the best, but only the best in existing
circumstances.
" The endowment of the Catholic religion by the state I
should deprecate, as being nrinons to the country in all its
interests. Still, I do not lora& for the general Chriatiapity
of the people but through the medium of the Christianity
of their rules. This is a lesson taught historically in Scrip-
ture by what we read there of the influence which the per-
wad character of the Jewish monarchs had on the moral
and religious state of their subjects—it is taught ezperi-
mentally by the impotence, now fully established, of the
Voluntary principle—and, last, and most decisive of ail, it is
taught prophetically in the book of Revelation, when told
that then will the kingdoms of the earth—(Berelleini, or
governing powers)—become the kingdoms of our Lord
Jesus Christ; or the governments of the earth become
Christian governments. (Signed) THOMAS Caimans."
—The Weans, Jane 23.

BRITISH ASSOCIATION. •
OXFORDXCESDAY, JuN& 29.—A large number of the
associates having left yesterday afternoon, subsequent te the
departure of Prince Albert, and the curiosity of the resi-
dents having subsided with that event, a soca of oompa-
ranee quiet has succeeded; and, though many interesting
papers remained to be read, the sections were less nume-
rously attended this morning than on any of the previous
days, and some of theta were all bet deserted. The geolo-
gical and ethnological roomer commanded the fullest au-
diences. The lid of papers set down for reading te-day was
as fellows :
affTION A.--Ilatlmmalleil and Physicel kelme.—Waiker, Prof.,
Report aa Anememserliel elesereatimes at Caked for two yea ;
Deslars, lln,oathe ldlMamd Elementary Dierrs i Minenta of Elec.
ladepat tin Tamesielillargus ; Them e% PM. W., as the Electric
Oateals spite ef assn aim the Panama of Tnereetrial Magnet-
OIIWWW/IkNZ., ASOWIIIa at Obilliallblaa Walk lbe ammo of
Owl& T. lirlitur, to DMeristas tin Vedettes, ef the LOW. of
Tam eserbel at the Diurnal Akan et a Magnet freely
enlirended helks Dtesillenef the D4p: Scoreene,Dr.,•eathe Daccuct,
and Dram edit Om the use or, Conway Iftenste for Local
AMMO Ma* Ompansetleen-built Vane's; Bernie, Mr., oe the
Oatmels Belangiaillimeolee, Mr D., en the Pelmieellea of the atmo-
sphere white of *Aim dared ; sea mallow's
elimierh le theDlisof theerosemila 6cond &ff.
tam: JlMueisatesads pridand by Me ltuenef Thin=
wheals as se .sa the luns lass la the lea
the Red limedirdies alltembalbes ; albrmikee of
the perk of the Membrease asaralaaabg rr See Pansma Otalrele
of tommerbot ; on the Osamseitnaf lisf la a Issaffai .
liWI.:8 7
Itbg
the deantag seas by a lea; Themes. ea ea
lairsera; Ilaniatem ter W. IL,Mempleef aissaamsams Prelim
treated by the Calculi'. oftMemlas; Bode. IB an a SIMS of
Definite integratoo J Ilretoner limmeassalart@is M-
em. Females; Bareherstt, es lea dieter meltall-
altar dam les Problems de 3 l<aMl Idelee-Om.dr
C'hise., on Sim awl blow*. bur
and Money; ca the PPM of Ropititty la Metals
abject se Ocapallea; , Prot. us Me BMW of kirool
Arches HIM. Iw. L. on Om.
Amore ; 11101 Xii.
to the Ore d
. Reda, Dra•Misok mil Pe
Win& ef ; on the Core of am Amer,
aad of the 77be Nei; Duet, 11., es Me Mt
apVite Magoelkal Dedialtka et Malik;
teak, kr„ on la Chrommaseed Pr*, Her. 11.,
New Prod Sae ef Virtual Velesktio; Powell, Peel.,tm Ms
Fine Principle@ of ; Houghtria, Mr Mum C., Peak Mae
Aramottlein d Met ; apottin=ixtr„ as die An.
chummed laws ref MOOR end Equilibrium; Mr.
on the Masser Osereense ef the Daily Atambsie simers:t
IT= fad Idiom with its Applied= to
and the Arta—khaeltila. MI. ea aPecuar Pesomlies Trimilre=
Will Osedatas. Ns. J. India Polaisha Mader
Dr., as lbaltaleave Itulellhe Wm al dame hide d Food;
bar• Dr, en the lawgink Dimakamit of OW* Boas; tro-
tters, Cbsoolloco a a the Nod& Claidly el glalillffie Arida &Pesci
Degrees of Dilution, and antis llastites whisk takes Minna the
Devekmount of Beat and OsPilispt tlinkustlea of Mime la Sul-
phuric Acid when mired irlittlfideri; book, Mr. Cos ems Pheno-
mena of Photographic Mike; mss. Rea. J. 3, as Lwow hilts d
Gold.
Seerme C.—Geology rod Phpkal DoniffsPb7.-111Pldso, Wm,
Report on the of Berikideremente; Madlton, W. J.,
• Farthipsine he • Or Loa tho
M.-enure of Benbedssa tor ism and and their
relatioea to eddies =Mid; b Pnimar ftilmberg ;
Ormerod, G. W., asetknebe lamoddie sod fbeihreCtiel Yield;
Naafi, E. W., a (bashes hoed out In fall Naanntia from
Winn ; alter, J. W. on the Ouse,
taild Malian HMIs from
W.lce, and on the of life In its Obbe Horns; Carrington. J.,
as Geographical
earner D.—Nageeel Ifistom.-11111midilmwda_ Prof, ou ems
Points In the Economy Onstuna; Illatahhank Me. unimaje •
Malta cif the Dade; IllerlDe, Dr. ear *O3M
liMieligy if the of
the OAS; Forbes, Prot E., an a Ilsamal amshainamt af me
te
d the BriabOonallees, mice the Irak at Iwo Drekeing fa the
British Sea, especially at the liondeb s M by Mr. Mass-
drew; Alder, Mr. J. on the Yawl et • Add r,
Mr. J., and Haac, Mr. Nobs ea (4rith de-
em-tenons of fume new lel all hatarlat at WIDIss:
Mom, Prof., cm Certain wnna; Waterced, I/I.J, 0., on Cer-
tain Blind Insects ; Gray, Mr. J. E, cei Me Structure of the Sall of
Chiton, and on the Manufacture of ftendlemeos ; Baird, Dr., on the
Cratere& of the Genera Neballegemich) smdChirasephalue Si ;
Thompeou, Mr. W., llama a ths Tondo, Xyloplare. LIMOS.
and Chelsea, as found tahalher dainglog the wood-work of a pies;r;
Hooper, Dr.. on Diatomeses; Perk 11M., on Additions to the
Puna of Cornwall. Sub4selljea nif Ilanology.—Meyer,r.,
on lithe Branches and AMA. at the 13.1t1c Ems; Ray-
eensi de Venires, Monsieur, as the of Prance; Lane, J.,
D.CL., mists Pm* Lames •Odilm, and Peculiar-
ities; Pat. Me tmeween China; Eds.
son, Pref., ea Me P,eai Lets, of hasolhearie • Owe, Dr.,
on the Dinallnam et the Itarea, oat OermissAlVars la
the Clantria Chissaant; MIL Dr. Max. as the Ur
O. at India; knelt. Mt. an tar Lexistheaphy at Not&
and Oaratania laohnaw; hasash co dr hhapntrian bass;
TwcWom Dr, ea the Amen limiers; sa the Dirk* sod VT-
name ; Mimic, 1., Dm, She Ibumrkit Mplabd;
Rammte en a tome, Gam Adhandlas JZianr.
G. en aortae arm Dithe Ildtalage afAsareasa.
letrisestPropealiens meals
by Pearce If • Osadass, Mr., as e• Ph7dakt7 at tin Eland
is Da+ at the oftionaim al Ague and Mai.;
firrer,tdai., on a Dam eineved la Me Teem at Ely.
Seems F.-13latistka—Ptetcher, Mr. J, as the Moral awl Educa-
tional Sheddim of Eaginad and Sala with diagrams; Hancock,
Prokesor, of Daigle, as Vidalia= la the Supply of silver in Ireland
dating the Operations hi Me Belief et Distress in BM -7; Sykes,
lient.-OolgiLdit.g., the Prior el the Careens and other Edibles of
India and
Stens 13.-11e=lerlso aY Matey, Maas., on no Elastic
Malleable au Tube of • slew tarn Meted to Moorpark Rallwale;
Rennie, Mr. 0., en Mt Iran Lae oMie of Isiestopol, made by order
or the Ruda goeireanent, which were amnia& by Mr. Bennie M
be fit feet wide by 34 feet high, made wholly of Iron, and !or locks
which admitted 84-gun chine; Glynn, Mr. J., on the *furelne.
The atmospheric railway tube of Mass. Clarke and Var-
ley, which, in their prospectus, is somewhat &genetically
stated to be " a triumphant proof of the practicability, supe-
riority, and economy of atmospheric traction," and a speci-
men of about 6 feet of whirl.; was exhibited, was explained
to consist of a wrought-iron tube, 15 inches in diameter, and
thick, having an aperture at the top the whole length of
the tube, for connecting the leading carriage of the train,
the edges of which aperture being planed true, form, by the
emeticity of the iron, and the external pressure, a perfectly
sir-tight joint. On each tide of the tube are iron bars or rails,
pinned to it at intervals, along the internal edges of which,
work laterally two pair of wheels, which are attached to the
loading carriage, and being of greater width than the distance
between the rail*, force them open in poasiug, and so open the
aperture in the tube for the passage of the train. According to
the inventor, trains might be worked by this system every 15
minutes, the stationary engines being about lour miles apart;
and there would be no inconvenience or difficulty by sidings i
making provision for trains pawing each other. Thie ex-
planation gave rise to considerable discussion, in which
the merits of the atmmpheric system were canvemed
freely, the majority of opinion being adverse to it, en the
remind that the power required to produce the vacuum might
be applied with more economy directly in propelling loco-
motive engines. Colonel Sykes's statistical paper on the
cerealia of India Was valuable as showing that the cereal
products of that country are so enormous, and their value in
consequence is so small, that under proper arrangements
they might, even in years of plenty, bedsug into advan-
tageous competition with the grain of th ■and nt ighbourn4;
countries, and ie years of scarcity prevent the possibility of
an approach to famine.
The lecture in the library last night was by H. Strick.

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