of the Church, that it will call upon the government to maintain its union with the State.  Upon this subject there is one remark I would make.  Nothing is more surprising to me than the plea on which the present outcry is made against the Church of England.  I could not believe that in the nineteenth century the charge against the Church of England should be that churchmen, and especially the clergy, had educated the people.  If I were to fix upon one circumstance more than another which redounded to the honor of churchmen, it is that they should fulfill this noble office; and, next to being “the stewards of divine mysteries,” I think the greatest distinction of the clergy is the admirable manner in which they have devoted their lives and their fortunes to this greatest of national objects.

Gentlemen, you are well acquainted in this city with this controversy.  It was in this city—­I don’t know whether it was not in this hall—­that that remarkable meeting was held of the Nonconformists to effect important alterations in the Education Act, and you are acquainted with the discussion in Parliament which arose in consequence of that meeting.  Gentlemen, I have due and great respect for the Nonconformist body.  I acknowledge their services to their country, and though I believe that the political reasons which mainly called them into existence have entirely ceased, it is impossible not to treat with consideration a body which has been eminent for its conscience, its learning, and its patriotism; but I must express my mortification that, from a feeling of envy or of pique, the Nonconformist body, rather than assist the Church in its great enterprise, should absolutely have become the partisans of a merely secular education.  I believe myself, gentlemen, that without the recognition of a superintending Providence in the affairs of this world all national education will be disastrous, and I feel confident that it is impossible to stop at that mere recognition.  Religious education is demanded by the nation generally and by the instincts of human nature.  I should like to see the Church and the Nonconformists work together; but I trust, whatever may be the result, the country will stand by the Church in its efforts to maintain the religious education of the people.  Gentlemen, I foresee yet trials for the Church of England; but I am confident in its future.  I am confident in its future because I believe there is now a very general feeling that to be national it must be comprehensive.  I will not use the word “broad,” because it is an epithet applied to a system with which I have no sympathy.  But I would wish churchmen, and especially the clergy, always to remember that in our “Father’s home there are many mansions,” and I believe that comprehensive spirit is perfectly consistent with the maintenance of formularies and the belief in dogmas without which I hold no practical religion can exist.