The sun., 1897-08-15

Ireland. but came directly from Scotland, or
from other quarters, to the colonies. The fail
ure tn find phrase comprehensive enough to
cover these two branches of tho Presbyterian
family may account in part for the failure to do
them Justice in comparing the work done by
them with that performed by the Puritans and
Cavaliers Scotch-Irish and Scotch Presbyter-
ans have had to bear comparison with races and
forces not thus divided in tho public mind.
Tho influence exerted on the thought and
mind OF the world by the Scotch Covenantcrs
has never been appreciated fully. Theirs was
the first great revolution in Europe resulting
in the complete independence of religious
thought and conduct. Professionalism in the
Netherlands. though struggling herocally for
tho same object, had not yet tr!umphed. even in
the northern provinces, and was to be van
quished in the southern, now constituting tho
kingdom of Belgium. In England the spirit OF re-
ligious liberty still in its cradle and had not
assumed definite form. There were many bold
and advanced thinkers there. but as yet no or
Ranized movement. no unity Of action. The fact
is too often overlooked that the contamination
of the religious revolution in Scotland. through
the agency of the Covenanters, took place sixty
years before the landing of the Mayfiower at
Plymouth and eighty years before the great up
rising in England. which eventually made tho
Puritans and tho Independents a mighty force
IN the State To the resistance offered by Scot
land to the attempt Of Charles I. to force o
liturgy upon them, England owed her own do
liverance. Tho example of Scotland spread to
England and in the revolution which followed
Charles lost his head. 1t was also the rebellion
In Scotland which frustrated tho intention Of
Uharles I. to crush out all the independent sects
In tha A rr1o ND fn holt oil
colonial charters. This was the first debt of
America to Scotland. To scotchmen, also. rather
than to Englishmen. do owe our ideas
of civil liberty. More than two hundred
years before our Declaration of Independence
John Knox spoke as follows: THE authority
OF kings and princes was originally derived from
tho people; the former are not superior to the
latter, collectively considered; il the rulers be-
como tyrannical, or employ their power for the
destruction of their subjects. they may be law
fully controlled and, proving incorrigible may
b0 doposed by the community as the superior
power, and tyrants may be judicially proceeded
against, even to q capital punishment" When
these views were uttered the speaker had Mary
Stuart In mind. but, having become accepted
In England two generations later, they brought
her grandson to the block. So much for the
contribution to the cause of religious and
civil liberty which tho Covenanter emigrants
to tho colonies we've qualified by tradition and
training to make. Let us now see whether
In respect of education they were not at least as
well advanced as the English Puritans. John
Knox was devoted friend of education. and
believed 1t to be the highest safeguard of the
Protestant religion. Through his influence
schools were generally established throughout
the kingdom. When he died. in 1872.
Andrew Melville took up his work and
pushed 1t forward. As Principal, he reformed
tho University of Glasgow. and placed 1t on so
high basis of learning that it attracted stu
dents from other parts OF Europe. A few years
later he rejuvenated In the same way tho Uni
versty of st. Andrews. During the reign of
William and Mary statute was passed by the
Scotoh Parliament for the establishment of COM
mon schools in every parish. to be supported in
part by the parish and In part by rate bills.
Macaulay testihes that, before one generation
had passed away, 1t began to be evident that
tho common people Of Scotland were superior in
Intelligence TO the common people Of any other
country In Europe. The statute Of William and
Mary did but reafiirm and consolidate a state of
things which had existed for upwards OF a hun
dred years. In tho fifteenth century grammar
schools had been established in all burgh corpo-
rations. and. after the rebellion of 1910. paro-
chial schools, modelled upon those of Geneva,
were established throughout Scotland under the
the Covenanters, on the invitation of James L.
settled in the north of Ireland. they took with
them tho education. as well as tho religion of
Scotland. They built schoolhouses as we'll as
churches. The sons of the wel-to-do were sent
TO Glasgow or to Edinburgh for tho higher edu-
cation. and common schools wero provided for
those unable to attend university. Thus 1t
came TO pass that, In respect Of education
and intelligence, the Scotch coonists in Ire
land were superior to the English colonists
The province of Ulster. where they dwelt,
soon became the most prosperous section of
ireland. and tho contrast between 1t and
tho English settlements was marked. When
the Covenanters were gradually driven out
OF Ireland by persecution, between the years
170O and 1878, and came to the American plan
tAtions, their first care in their new homes aft or
securing religious privileges. was to provide for
the education OF their children. In every neigh
borhood where 1t was possible they established
schools. Nor were they content with primary
and intermediate education. No fewer than
twenty-eight colleges and high.grade academies
were started by Covenanter ministers during the
eighteenth century In New Jersey, Delaware,
Pennsylvania, Maryland. Virginia, North Caro-.
lima, and Tennessee. Such was the origin of
Princeton University; OF Jefferson College,
Pennsylyania; Of Delaware College; OF Wash
ington College. and of HGmpden-sydney College,
Virginia; OF Washington College and of Green
vile College In Tennessee Those mentioned by
name do not constitute tenth OF the schools
started By CovenAnter ministers In the colonies
south of Now York. The Synod of Carolina. at
an carly day. instructed each OF the Presby tories
ander its charge to provide for a grammar
school: the Injunction was obeyed. 1t was ehs