The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-27

herculean task which the author undertook,
and we cannot recount In detail the indefat-
iRabie exertions by which II was at last
achieved. Suflce it to say that to procure
the money needed for the erection and
maintenance OF schools no sacrificed nearly
the whole OF his own meagro stipend and in
CURED personal debt Of E700 besides solicit
ing subscriptions from every one to whom he
could gain ACCESS from the Queen DowhRer to
his fellow schoolmates at Elton. When We add
that In 1858 the school children OF st. Thomas
Charter House mustered 1880 strong. the
reader will appreciate the thoroughness with
which the authors educational projects we're
carried out Tho work which he had accom-
plished left him broken in health as we'll as
purse. but when, In 1868. he accepted the rec
tory OF St Botolph, BlshopsRate. he had be-
como one Of the most respected and distin-
Guished men In London. In 1857. on the
recommendation OF tho Prince Consort, he had
been made one OF the chaplains to her Majes-
ty. and In 1869 Bishop TAFT had nominated
him TO prebendal stall In st. Psul's Cathedral
"A stall. however, as he quantity says. without
any provender In 1t.
Nv.
In his new parish OF St. Botolph, Bishops
gate. Mr.. Rogers turned to account the expert
ence which no had acquired during his long
incumbency OF ST. Thomas Charterhouse.
Hero. again. his first aim was to humanize
ana civllize his poor parishioners before I'M
dertaltng to make them religious. There was
not family and scarcely an individual upon
which he failed 10 bring to bear the leverage
OF friendly relations and personal influence.
In hundred ways he sought to briRh en-.
widen. and elevate their lives. Tho unsiGhtly
churchyard he turned into public garden;
for the purpose OF rendering timely and ju-
dicious assistance to the needy he organized
visitors association. whose faithful and inces-
eant services justified their name. and whose
members asked no questions about attendance
or non-attendance at any particular place OF
worship: he abolished the old charity schools.
and replaced them with institutions whose
pupils wore industrious. self respecting. and
well taught. He finally erected In the parish
cluster OF new school buildings and by trans
forminga district church into q school chapel
created one large educational establishment,
part Of which could also be available for reig-
ious and social purposes. This conversion OF a
church required an act Of PARLIAMENT. and some
resistance was expected from Lord Redesdale.
The petitioners were warned. however. that his
opposition might be disarmed by . particularly
hearty appreciation OF his Jokes. Mr.. Rogers
tells Us that accordingly. before the proceed
tnRs IN the committee began. / passed the
word round to my fellow petitioners to take a
cue in the matter Of laughter. After long
discussion Lord Redesdale said, l don't like
the look OF this affair at oil you don't propose
to have the chapel consecrated. and how do
know that you won't turn 1t into q dancing
saoonT Whereupon l was heard to smile.
and the room echoed with the laughter Of
the boys Of Bishopsgate. Il hate the whole
thing his lordship continued. but you
NAV take your BILL" Tho prediction which
Lord Nedesdale evidently looked upon as
loosely extrayRgant, has been, to some ex-
tent, fulfilled. We have not" 0Ir. Rogers ex-
plains. turned the school chapel into dane
Ing saloon. but many thousands OF feet have
skipped over its floors l am Rrea: believer
in dancing. and 1t is q distinguishing mark OF
our pnrochial life. We have had and have balls
OF all kinds-for the parishioners and congrc-
cation, for the school children and old pupils.
May-day dances. fancy dress balls. and what
not. l am sure that, not only has no harm
come OF them. but that those social gatherings
have done much good; people like dancing and
the daEcinE Is all the better for being under
ecclesiastical auspices"
1t is plain that Mr.. Rogerss ideas OF ee-
mentary education differ materially from
those entertained by some OF his fellow clergy
men. We should not forget to mention also
that he has always been an advocate OF strictly
secular instruction In national schools. He tells
us in this valume that he has grave doubts
whether It is worth while to leach school chill
dren the Old Testament at all. Il should" he
says, be satisfied with a thorough knowledge
OF the Gospel story and have a strong con-
viction that the temptation to tho teacher to
look upon tho subject as n lesson and nothing
but lesson Is. with the New Testament. much
reduced" He also deems 1t open TO question
whether examinations In religious knowl-
edge ever do good; but II there must be on
aminations. pains ought TO be.talen to minim-
ize tho dangers Il would" he says "ex-
empt young children altogether from any
written tests; general catechetical OK
animation would suffice to gauge the accu-
rncy and usefulness OF the teaching In tho
case OF older children the objects OF examiua-
ton ought to be definite No question should
be set to which the answer might tempt tho
child to write something insincere or artlf-
cial.' On the general subject OF the difference
between his conception Of parochial duties. and
that he'd by many clergymen. Mr. Rogers says:
Il have always put education in the forefront
OF my efforts, because It has seemed to me TO
involve everything for which clergyman is
bound to strive. Nine l know. Inns not
my brethren; they have given their
first regard TO what. in their judg-
ment. were the more immediate duties OF the
clergy. cannot see that they have been right,
and that have been wrong. Religion. deep
sincere. permanent reasonable. is IMPOSSIBLE
to an uninstructed and unframed intellect
Onco more. there Ia no darkness but igno-
rance" AS might have been expected from
the extreme liberalism OF his opinions. Mr.
Rogers has been an earnest advocate OF tho
Sunday opening OF museums and picture gal
leries Il can understand" he says. " the
adverse attitude OF a man who spends Sunday
In a steady round OF devotional exercises. but
/ cannot understand tho opposition Of those
who. protesting to DO bound by the fourth
commandment. break IL a dozen tines between
breakfast and bedtime. We who advo-
cate the more profitable Observance OF
Sunday put the case on religious
grounds. Sunday was made for man, and
not man for Sunday. and We claim that every
thing which without detriment to the com
munity may mako for human welfare shall not
be forcibly withheld when 1t may best be
utilized. Sunday Is a FREQ day to those who on
all other days are face to face with monotonous
labor. They may travel by sea or land, they
may listen to music in the public parks they
a ~ ~.