The Sun.
London, England, 1851-09-06 00:00:00

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LONDON, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 185

The reports of the Presidents of the Queen's Col-
leges, or as they have been euphoniously termed the
" Godless " Colleges, in Ireland, which have just
been published, afford abundant evidence that the
denunciations of " the Most Rev. PAUL," aided
and supported by the diatribes of the
" Lion " of Thane, the pastorals of the dove of Elphin,
and even the resolutions of the Synod of Thurles,
have not induced the intelligent and educated mem-
bers of their creed to reject the inestimable advan-
tages offered by the new institutions for the education
of their children. The " colleges" still flourish, and
pupils still flock in, notwithstanding the organised
opposition that has been put forward. We do not find
the grass growing in their courts, as was boldly pro-
phecied by ultramontanist seers, nor have the Roman
Catholic gentry withdrawn their sons from the lec-
ture-rooms as from pest-houses. The progress of
these valuable institutions appears to be as great as
could fairly have been anticipated, and it is the more
satisfactory, as it proves beyond the possibility of
doubt that there are persons determined to judge fur
themselves, who will not surrender their opinions into
the hands of a bare majority of the bench of bishops.
The Right Reverend Gentlemen may perchance feel
astonished at the discovery that their authority is not
quite so despotic as they had fondly supposed, and that
any of their flocks should venture to think or act for
themselves without previously obtaining ecclesiastical
sanction. It is, however, an unquestionable although
a painful fact, and may teach a salutary lesson to
sacerdotal would be despots.
It is also shown that there never was a greater
mistake than supposing that any danger to faith
or morals was incurred by the students, or that their
religious training was altogether neglected. In
every case, as remarked by Mr. EDWARD BER,
WICK, the amiable and talented President of the Gal-
way College, " the religious and secular education
went hand in hand ; the latter given by the accom
plished scholars who fill the professorial chairs, a large
number of whom are Protestants—the former dispensed
by the clergyman, who, in accordance with the statutes,
had entered upon his office under the sanction of the con-
stituted authorities of the Church." Perhaps it would
be impossible to find any body of young men more
attentive to religious duties and religious instruction
than the students have been. One day in the week
has been appropriated to that purpose, and the re-
spective Deans of Residence have expressed their en-
tire and unequivocal satisfaction at the attendance
they have received and the attention exhibited•
Whether belonging to the Church of England, the
Presbyterian, or the Roman Catholic persuasions—
they have worthily discharged their duties with credit
to themselves and benefit to the rising generation
committed to their charge. 'Whence, then, the
accusations that have been so freely and
unsparingly preferred of the total absence
of such instruction, and almost Atheistical tendency
of the courses prescribed ? Alas ! these grave charges
were preferred, not because there was a want of re-
ligious education to all persons willing to receive it,
but because all opportunities of proselytism and pro-
pagandism were forbidden. The tenets of one creed
could not be forced upon the members of another
without the assent of their parents or guardians, and,
horrible to relate, it was possible to receive a sound
practical education without surrendering the con-
science of the neophyte into the hands of a priest of
any communion.