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Q Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl^mentaires; [Printed ephemera] 4 p. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked b'llcw/ Ce document est filmi^ au taux de ridLCtion indiquii ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X L y 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X Th« copy filmed hsrtt has b««n •'•proilunad thanks to tha ganarosity of: D.B. Weidon Libe worst prejudices of Protestants. Tlieir motto seems to be " Rale or Buin ; " if they cannot rule Ontario they will wreck it They attack the Mowat Administration for having authorized the use of the Scripture Readings in the Public Schools. The use of such readings in the schools was demanded by the Teachers' Provincial Association, by the Anglican and Presbyterian Synods, and some of the Methodist Conferences, and thes? bodies appointed deputations to press this request upon the attention f the Ontario Gov- ernment. The Government either had to yield to the request or refuse it. Had they re- fused it, the howl would new be because they had refused to listen to the request of these Protestant bodies. The following letters and speeches by most eminent Protestants in Ontario, clearly indicate how groundless is the cry of these " Rule or Ruin " politicians, who in 1883, to catch vot^, declared that Mowat was not doing justice to the Roman Oatholica, and finding tl|At that oiy did not pay, now pose as defender? of Protests aniisra. STA-TEMENT THB- ^ and has beer shouts of *•' this cry with effect upon t At the publi after review of the Provi A good there was a we were usiii vent ion and i sous for som tions at Marl have God's v doing what ( not merely u be the bettei sons in Prov have the gra first of Coric of the Bible, dis. issed an tiou, the Qc said in publi H( BLE ■ OLIVER MOWAT fered from t anything bu the Douay I should be ui Synod, and Mefihodists 1 of the Synoc rURE READINGS P THE ORY RAISED BY THE RUIN LEADERS." n the Cry raised by Bunting and taken up by the Conservative G. H, Blake, Dr. C&stle, Rev. Hugh Johnston, Dr. Caven, Dr. Hunter, Rev. John Burton, and Dr. Cochrane, rT the: scripturk Bi:A.Di]yrGs. 2fc ressive ia its the Province, s of the Con- jlectors of the u Driven to es of the Pro- are the same 3 of the Irish e Administra- f this Pro- Iways been } father be- n, London, of liberal I in the Local ay. Any one 3 right of the o what books fciese men who low try to ex- le or Fuisi ; " dministration ils. The use .ssociation, by ces, and thes? Ontario Gov- Had they re- quest of these •rotestants io " politicians, 3 the Roman f? of Frotestr •WAT WHO W" ^ES THOSE " ANTI-POPISH " ARTICLES, and bap been writing them for the last twelve months, is a Catholic himself. (Loud shouts of " The hypocrite ? " laughter and excitement.) This alone is sufficient to stamp this cry with hypocrisy — (hear, hear) —and it is no wonder that it has failed to have any effect upon the Protestant electors of this country. Hon. S. H. Blake, At the public meeting held at Toronto on the evening of Sattirday, the 1 8th of December, after reviewing briefly the Mowat Administration ^d its able defence of the Rights of the Province, spoke aa follows : A good many years ago, IN SiBBATH SCHOOL CONVENTIONS, there was a strong desire for having introduced into our Onnamon Schools a book which we were using l'\rgely in our Sabb ith School teaching. We had an lubernatio nal Con- vention and an International Committee, and that committee prepared a selection of lea- sous for some fourteen million teachers and children. I reraembar at one of thos conven- tions at Markham, a numt)er of years ago, I said :— *♦ I shall never be satisfied uiless we have God's word taught in our Public Schools. I shall never feel satisfied that we are doing what our God would desire a land should do, unless we honour His word. L-at us not merely make pretences at being Cnristiaus, but let us be so in fact. Our children will be the better for learning over and over again the Ten Commandments ; the grand lea- sons in Proverbs, which we should all so Uke to see engrained into o jr children. Lei ua have the grand Sermon on the Mount by our Saviour ; let us have the 13th chapter of the first of Corinthians ; let us have the Lord's Prayer. Let us have these various portions of the Bible, and let them be read and used in the Public Schools." These matters were dis lased and got into shape, and there being more or less of public opinion on «>he ques- tion, the government very lightly took it up I admit that before there wsik a word, said in public on the subject 1 had procured a copy of .J 1 ] I _*«; THE BOVAY BIBLE vJ 4l->««^ ^l«<^n<% •^AMrtAi^^kA • a^ y\^\r% ^n.i 31 n ^irvr anavrtek U, Aif. fered from the same passages in the other translation. Nobody dare accuse me of being anything but an ultra Protestant (loud applause), but I say this, that I would rather see the Douay Bible introduced and read in the Public Schools than that no Bible whatever should be used. (Applause.) This matter was brought up in our Church of England Synod, and I refer to it because what had been done by the Presbyterians and the Mef-hoidists has been given out, but I have not seen anywhere a report made of the action of the Synod of the Church of England on this question, and I prefer to take the care* 1 fered from the same passages in the other translation. Nobody dare accuse me of beinar ST^TEJSlEisrT >F THX- HONOURABLE OLIVER MO WAT CONT/UNED IN HIS MEMORANDUM Published on the 2nd of December, 1886. BIBLES IN SCHOOLS. \}^' "• ^"'''^®^ Stated, and with great emphasis of assertion, tlmt through Eomat? Catholic influence we have excluded the Bible from the achools, and have substituted for it extracts prepared under thb indueuce of the Rntaish Church. But this whole •tory is a Ill?isi*(;prcsentaUon. The fact is, that from the time I came iuto office there was uo movement whatever on the part of the Archbishop to change the regulations which had previously existed respecting t'le Bible in the schools. What has been don? hap been done at the instance of the Protestant Churches, and them only, and to carry out so litr what they were understood to des2re. Ou this point I need do no more than refer to the speech of the Minister of Education at his nomination on the 11th October last, and to the recently published letters of the Rev. Dr. Dewart and the Rev. Principal Caven. The Archbishop had nothing whatever to do with the preparation of the extracts. At a public meeting held in the City of Toronto, oa the evening of the 18th of December, Mr. Mowat after reviewing his Administration spoke as follows :— Our legislation has been, so far, so careful that the resulChas been as I have mentioned. I claim no panicular m-jrit for this. It is chiefly owiug to the able colleagues that I have always had— (applause)— and the able supporters who have assisted us with their valuable suggestions. The suggestions of friends and others outside of the House are very valuable, and we ar always glad to have a good suggestion aad rejoice in adopting it, from what- ever source it may come. I am meeting Conservatives in every part of the Province, who tell me that they are quite satisfled with our laws and our Administration, and they do not want a better Government as to passing laws and administrating the funds of the country. The Opposition felt that our legislation and administration afforded them KG GROUNDS OP CGHPLAIKT, and, in conseqvence, what was to be donet It would not do to go to the country and to the polls without a cry of some kind. What was to be done 1 There is one cry which has sometimes been successful in such cases. An appeal to the religious sentiments of the people sometimes has been successful in depriving of oflSce for a time earnest men, good men, religious men, and men of & sound jndj^ment in regard to such matters* This attempt has been made. Twelve months ago the "No Popery" cry was raised. Who raised it flrst t Was it an honest cry ? We all know that it was raised by the people of the Mail a year ago. I have never before supposed that the Mail people were very religious people. (Laughter.) I had always been under the impression, from what I saw and heard and knew, that the Mail people were very much the other thing. (Laughter.) A cry was raised, therefore, of « Protestantism in danger " by these very strong Protestants. It was raised by Mr. Bunting, of the Mail. Mr. Bunting does not wnte for his paper much j I do not know that he f rites for it at all, but he directs Its general policy, and, as it seemed, he, a Protestant, became quite excited about religious mattere, with a keen eye for Popish aggressior. and encroachments upon Protestantism. (Laughter.) The Mail has a very able editor, a very learned editor ; and the Mail editor fered from anything bi the Douay should bo I Synod, and Methodists of the Syno fully-word*'( this Proviu* pared iu th< to be made who enter ti spreading c Dumoulin a sent. At tl sent when t anyone ther that we are then, is tl iand, he3( carefully eac hear to-day ; of that Syno in it eightee tee on Relig " The Journ Toronto, 18E " The C( fulness to . Uoveriiin«nt volume of Sci A burst quotation. " Together w its daily use i seem so impi them, with tl of all ils mem "1. Eve; the reading oi oient of Educ " Mind and every oi them, and, at views." 1 "2. The pose by the D ♦'6. Wh€ a week. '=6. The Public and Hi )WAT !86. rough Eomai? iibstituted for this whole ime iuto office he regulations las been done them only, Ire. Oil this ucatioa at his • the Rev. Dr. J whatever ►f the 18th of re mentioned. iS that I have their valuable very valuable, it, from whftt- Province, who d they do not f the country. untry and to !ry which has ments of the ne»t men, 1 regard to 'No Popery" T that it was ihat the Mail e impression, ch the other ;er " by these hunting does ut he directs lOUt religious rotestantism. 3 Mail editor fered from the same passages in the other translation. Nobody dare accuse me of being anything but an ultra Irotestant (loud applause), but I say this, that I would rather see the Duuay Bible introduced and read in the Public Schools than that no Bible whatever shouM b« used. (Applause.) This matter was brought up in our Church of England Synod, and I refer to it because what had been done by the Presbyterians and the Methodists has been given out, but I have no'c seen anywhere a report made of the action of the Synod of the (Jhurch of Euglund on this question, and I prefer to take the care^ fully- worH'd utterance of that body — very large indeed in our city and very large all over this Province ; I prefer to take what was given to us eighteen months ago, carefully pre- pared iu thought, and no coming election, no " cry," no MKAN, DESPICABLE USB I to be made of it ; I prefer to take these rather than the utterances of political parsons who enter the pulpit with the evangel of peace on their lipr, but with the purpose of spreading discord among their people. (Loud applause.) Of this Synod Rev. Canon Dumou)in and Rev. JoJm Langtry are members. At this Synod meeting they were pre- sent. At this Synod they had had a copy of this report. At this Synod they were pre- sent when this report was moved and adopted, and there was njt the fi(st breath from anyone there except of approval and assent. Is it to be said to you and me this evening that we are not strnno; Protestants because we adopted what they then adopted ? This, then, is the utterance of that body— the Synod of the Church o7 Eng- land, held in June, 1885. 1 have hut one word to add ; it is to ask you to note carefully each word 1 give you on this subject, and contrast them with the assertions you hear to-day ; to take THIS SOLEMN DELIVERANCE of that Synod and compare it with the specious utterances to-day of those who concurred in it eighteen months ago. The article I want to read is headed " Report of the Commit- tee on Religious Instruction in i,he Public Schools." (Here the speaker produced a copy of " The Journal of the Incorporated Synod of the Church of England in the Diocese of Toronto, 1885,") The report reads thus : — " The Committee on Religiotis Instruction in the Public Schools report, with deep thank- fkilness to Almiiehty G<»(i, that, a great onward step has beeu taken in this matter by the Uovernment of the Proviuoe during the past year. They refer to the authorization of the new volume of Scripture readings for the High and Public Schools of Ontario — " A burst of applause from the audience here interrupted Mr. Blake's reading of the quotation. As soon as it subsided he continued : — " Together with the iasue of the Order- in- Council, dated December 16th, 1884, enjoining its daily use in all Public and High Schools. The following provisions of this Order-in-Oounoil seem so important, that your committee desire to call the special attention of the 9ynod to them, with the view of INLISTIMO THE AOTIVB OO-OriBATIOlT of all iis members in rendering those provisions effectual : " 1. Every Public and High School shidl l)e opened with the Lord's Prayer, and closed with the reading of the Scriptures and the Lord's Prayer, or the prayer sanctioned by the Depart- oient of Education." " Mind you," interjected Mr. Blake at this point, " thirty-nine was the committee, and every one of them, what you and I would call ' a strong Protestant,' thirty-nine of them, and, as the report says, the committee was singularly Unanimous in Its views." The speaker continued his quotations : — " 2. The portions of Scripture used shall be taken from selections authorized for that pur- pose by the Department of Education, and shall be read without comment or explanation. " 5. When required by the trustees the Ten Commandments saall be repeated at least once a week. '• 6. The trustees shall place a copy of the authorized readings in each department of the Publis and High Schools, under their jurisdiction within one year from the date thereof. THE SCRIPTUBS RE "The reKulatio»8 prescribing the ' hours of daily teaching,' provide that they ahall not exceed six hours in duration, but a less number of hours of daily teaching may be determined upon in any Public School. At the option of the trustees for closing the ordinary school work •arlier than the usual hour on certain days, that time may be given for religious instiuction. " These," said Mr. Blake, " are the Order-in-Council provisions to whica the com- mittee called the special atteution of the Synod. The report goes on to say :— " During the summer months your committee, in corjuuction with the members of similar committeen appointed by the Methodist and Presbyterian bodies, MET THE MINISTEE OF IDUCATION at his request, that opportunity might be given for a free discussion as to its best way of deaUng with the matter. The meeting was singularly unanimous in its viewa— " Mark that," said Mr. Blake interrupting himself, " singularly unarimous in its TJews." (Loud applauce.) Mr. Bkke continued reading :— And your committee pressed for some relaxation of the regulations relegating all religious in- struction by the clergy to some time beyond the ordinary school hours, and for the use by the teacher and pupUs in each school of a carefully revised selection of Scripture readings. " They pressed for tnis," again interrupted the speaker ; " they pressed that these Scripture selections might be read in each school, and there was n9 Roman Oat^iohc upon the cdmmittee ; nobody but the representatives of the Protestants ot this Province." " The audience loudly applauded Mr. Blake's remft .':-3, and he continued the quotation at the request of the Minister (whose courtesy and interest in the matter your committee desire to gratefully acknowledge)." •< Just think of that," remarked the speaker. " This is the wretched creature who wrote the Ross Bible. (Laughter.) Here is the committee 'gratefully ' acknowledging his courtesy in the matter." (Renewed laughter and applause.) Mr, Blake read on :— " Two members of the committee consented to aid in the final revision of the book of Soripkure readings, a task in which they were engaged for some dayd with representatives of other Christian bodies. Your committee desire to place on record THE HARMONY AND UNITY of feeling which marked throughout this labour of love, and they confidently commend to the Church the volume now authorize^, as a gratifying proof of the unity of action which has thus been shown to be possible in this matter, and which they trust may ever continue among Christians in this Province with regard to this important and vital question." Mr. Blake read the last few lines slowly and emphatically, and the audience cheered enthusiastically as he halted. Then he said : — And I will just here say that a more dastardly attempt to prevent union, a more miserable faction fight than we have had within the last month in this Province, I don't know in any history very well. (Loud applause.) Hear the remainder of the committee's report : — i " It is confidently hoped that STTFFIOIENT COMBINED PKESSUEB may now be brought to boar upon Boards of Trustees to ensure the weekly instruction in the Commandments and the adoption of the provisions by which religious instruction can be given within the ordinary hours of school teachmg. In view of the great importance of the subject, and the extreme desirableness of keeping the matter prominently before the public, your committee ask that a committee upon this subject be re-appointed for the iturther prose- cution of the object committed to them, viz., tha obtaining sound religious instruction in all the Public and High Schools of Ontario. '* All of which is respectfully submitted. «C. W, E. Body, vjh«irman. " May 20th, 1885." This report, said Mr. Blake, was dealt with in this way, as we find on another page^ ^t t-lta ntfiniat ronnrt nf the nrnceedinoB of the Svhod : — ic God's mean as Protestants Roman Cathol Province. Is "No.") lath force and brut strength show in generosity, i any attack th£ and brethren i God in a form and it id that I claim fc myself. (Tet folly it it y cause I feel tempts tha this counti inerits of t (Applause), ^were tried np( the legislation roused, a drea 118 trample of the wed liCt U8 det they pleas anyone, ai liberty. (^ creant who do tration that w up straight bt and before th: the way ! " < On coming fo tu-night as a tious during infamous con Protestants, j out Protesttii said about us form to-nighl •\T1 VS«** iU- " The Rev. the Provost of Trinity College reed the report of the Committee on Religious •truction in the Public Schools (Appendix J), and on motion of the reverend gentleman, sec- onded b^ Rev. John Davidson, it was '*P Mlv*d, That the report of the Committee on Religious Instruction in the Public Schools be adop led, and that the committee be re-appointed for the ensuing year." Now, as I said, is it not better for us, like honest men, to say that was the utterance of persons who knew whereof they were speaking, carefully prepared and carefully worded. That was a ereat advance, a great benefit, and I say that I should prefer my children at- some Protes - ' . ,. , . 1 • r - ' I ^'-" Archbial r which have 1 Protestant, ultra kind, themselves o and who pris they claims I have begur PTURB RBADING-S. ey shall not determined Bohool work auction." a the coitt- irs of similar ay of dealing imous in its religious in- : the use by re readings." i that these atholic upon (vince." quotation at ttee desire to jreature who {nowledf»ing ) read on : — f the book of 9aentatives of commend to ion which has atinue among ence cheered nion, a more ince, I don't I Gomipittee's ic God's means of enlightenment, and I say that it would have been a terrible sni for us as Protestants, giving an open Bible to our own children, to refuse to give it o the Koman Catholics. (Loud applause.) We are stronger than the Roman Catholics in this Province. Is that a reason why we are to put their neck under oiir feet \ (Cries of •' No.") Is that any reasou why we should deal with them only on the principle of brute force and brute strength 1 (Cries of " No.") We are stronger than they. Phen let our strength show itself in magnanimity. (Loud applause.) Le*;- our streng^.h show itself in generosity, in a determination that as Protestants we stand shoulder to s.oulder against any attack that the Komish hierarchy might make upon our creed ; but as Christians and brethren in this grand Province le'. us not taboo a man who conscientiously worships God in a form different from ours. I ckim as large a share of religious liberty myself, and it id The Large Share of Liberty that I claim for myself that makes me desire to give others the liberty that I claim for mytf^(Terriffic applause). It would be chlldlsh if it wa« not wicked, foIIV it it was not a sfn, to thlnlC otherwise. I am here this evening be- S I feel h? this case that there has been Olie of the IllOSt pemiCIOllS at- it^mnU that has ever been made to introduce reiiiiious discord Into S country tS affect an election which should be tri«d upon the SS of tLse who are in, and the demerits of those who are out. (Applause). And as they knew that they would have no chance of success if the issue we?etned upon these questions, they sought to direct the attention of the public from fhe legislation and administration of the Government. It is ^^^^^ V^^^ *i^« ^^"^ " roused, a dreadful thing to rais^ a religious cry against J"y Pf «^^- ^^^ *J»J"f„^V**l us trample tlmt under foot. Applause) »«»'* let us get the thin eM of the wedge of discord and disunion into this grand land of ours. Let us determi'ie that all should feel that they can worship God as theV Please. We are not going to encroach upon the liberty of aitvone 2nd we are not going to allow any to encroach upon our EtV. (Applause? At this fpoohln the history of our cour>try the man wil be are- reant who does net do everything that he can to sustain tte honest, «P»"'gb\^7« ;^^^^^^^ tration that we have in Ontario, to put back the invaders from our land Let e^J^^^fje.* 'up straight before the time, and at the battle " let not your earnest slacken into pUy^ and before this grand audience I may say. "Men who thmk, and men of action, •l^te the way ! " (Loud and prolonged applause). instruction in •action can be trtance of the re the public, ifurther proae- tion in all the jh«irman. another page, 1 Religious iu- lentleman, aeo- Publio Schools the utterance jfuUy worded. y children at- Rev. Dr. Oastle, Principal of the Baptist College, Toronto, On coming forward was received with cheers. He said :-Mr. Chairman. I am nob here to-night at a politician. I have never taken any part whatever in purely pohtical ques- tions during my residence in Canada. My name has been associated, however with the mfamous committee composed of hypocritical ministers of the Gospel who, m the guise of PrZtan^, are really Jesuits-(loud cheers and laughter)--and who have beeusellmg out ProtestLntism to Archbishop Lynch (Renewed laughter,) A great deal haa been said about us, and I think it is only fair that some one of us should stanu upon thw plat form to-night and deliver our souls from THE AWFUI. CHARaE3. which have been huf )d against us during the last few weeks. I did suppose I was i. Pix)tescant. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) I did suppose I was a Protestant o the most ultra kind. (Cheers.) I did suppose that I belonged to a class of people who prided themselves on the absence of bigoiry-(cheers)-who knew what religious ^i^^erty mean^ and who prized religious liberty-(renewed cheanng)-a claos of people who becaUSe they claimed it lor themselves, granted it to everybwly. (Great applause.) I have begun to think within the last month, however, that probably, for religious liberty, some Protestants of the Province of Ontario will really have to go and take X^m^Mlt^m Archbishop. (Loud and prolonged laughter and applause.) I did cuppose ♦^^^ »K. This report, said Mr.*Hiake, was dealt with in this wry, as we tind on another pageL of the official report of the proceedings of the Synod " The Rev. the Provost of Trinity College read the report oi thq Oommtttee on Religious In- struction in the Public Schools ([Appendix J), and on motion of the reverend gentleman, sec- onded by Ilev. John Davidson, it was " B»solv*d, That the report of the Committee on Religious Instruction in the Public Schools be adopted, and that the committee be re-appointed for the ensuing year." Now, as I said, is it not better for us, like honest men, to say that was the utterance of persons who knew whereof they were speaking, carefully prepared and carefully worded. That was a great advance, a great benefit, and I say that I should prefer my children at- tending at the Public school should do what we were obliged to do in our International Sunday School Committee, in which were representatives from Canada, United States, England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and Africa, representing fourteen millions of people. We found that it was not a good thing to use the whole Bible in teaching, because there were a great many passages which aie more suited than others to the children who arc under our instruction. We have just closed this month a seven years' instruction iu the Bible ; we have commen d with the book of Genesis and finished with the book of Rev- elation, 336 lessons ; and in seven years we go over the various portions of the Bible prepared for the children. I rejoice to find that my child, if at school, gets a very good, thorough knowledge of the Bible, historical and otherwise, in one year, two hundred and eighty-one lessons, extending from the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation. I re joice to find that the splendid Proverbs occupy a prominent place ; that The Ten Commandmeiits are there — not, as people would have us believe, only nine of them. " Thou shalt not worship any graven image " is there in jncL as big print as any of the others— (loud ap- plause) — and I have found there also the thirteenth chapter of Corinthians, and I wish those who are making these charges and this attack upon this book had a little of the spirit lA Well as the letter of the law. Now I entirely disagree with the remarks that have been made against this book by certain persons occupying positions which should have been held sacred by them, and who were in utter ignorance of its contents. From one pulpit there has come the voice, " Why ! we haven't got in this book the story of the fall of David ! " " We haven't got in this book the story ".f the strong temptation of Joseph by Mrs. Potiphar ! " My friends, fancy ! (Applause.) Fancy I ! Fancy the pecu- liar taste of the men who particularly miss these passages ; and that from the pulpit, bad enough to think it, but to preach it, so much the worse ! But to be serious for a moment. I represent for a moment a girl of nineteen or twoncy years of age, in the country, with a class before me of boys and girls, and I am given that selection to read to them I Would you like to have your daughter sitting beside a lump of a boy of sixteen or seventeen while this was being read '« Sir, I would not. (Applause.)' We must have some common sense in these things. (Applause.) We find that how- ever good it may be for grown people to take their Bible, and sit down, and mourn as David did over his weakness, or to rejoice with Joseph upon the strength which enabled him to overcome his temptation, it is not reasonable to have it read to a mixed class of children fourteen, fifteen, or sixteen years of age, and I entirely approve of the great wisdom of that committee, and I believe that there is an inspiration in these matters, that led them to choose with the great propriety that they have in the historical, biographical, and doctrinal selections, and that led to taking the choicest portions from the various books in the Bible, and putting them in such a way that a class of children should be interested in them, and Hearch and read the Scriptures more fully. (Applause.) Another portion which it was objected had been improperly omittsd was 2nd Timothy, iii. :— " All Scripture is given by inspiration." Sir, that chap- ter was TTisely omitted. One hundred years ago people said it was a bad translation. It should have been " Every Scripture that is inspired," and if you'll look up your New Ver sion you'll find that it is put in such a way. It is " Every Scripture that is inspired." I want to say that I was glad that the committee, or one of them, waited upon Archbishop Lynch. (Hear, hear.) I am glad the Roman Catholic Church should consent to this same portion of the Bible which we were reading. (Applause.) I believe that the Bible wii, have Protestant, ultra kind, themselves and who pi they clain I have begi some Prote the Archbii Protestants Bible, th iiUah!'' approve< Hchools. his lite, he comment especially 8 he made in Lord's Pra religious li' is in great to-morrow, forbid that pulpit and hatred, but another. ] to men of a of this Pro seemed to i we could lo tion an hon cheering)— quity is he party for tl (Thunders selection the thirty-e — (laughiei that those ^ ligious big( ing in the sponsibilitj risk and as feated thei declaring— to such I Chairman, to the eflFec rainistratio justice. Thert another pageL THB AWFUL 0HAEGB3. on R«ligious la- gentleman, MO- s Public Sohools 8 the utterance refully worded. Day children at- T International United States, 11 ions of people. ;, because there ildren who aro itruction ill the e book of Rev- is of the Bible is a very good, i^o hundred and velation. I re rhou shalt not lers — (loud ap- tns, and I wish 1 a little of the B remarks that 3 which should ntents. From :he story of the ; temptation of ?ancy the pecu- the pulpit, bad ) serious for a I of age, in the ;tion to read to boy of sixteen ) We must find that how- and mourn as which enabled I a mixed class i^e of the great le matters, that J, biographical, 'om the various iren should be Jen improperly Sir, that chap- translation. It your New Ver is ins| ired." I ion Archbishop onsent to this > that the fiible wii. ' have been hurled against us during the last few weeks. I did suppose I was a Protestant. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) I did suppose I was a Protestant of the most ultra kind. (Cheers ^ I did suppose that I belonged to a class of people w!-9 prided themselves on the absence of bigotry — '(cheers) — who knew what religious liberty meant, and who prized religious liberty — (renewed cheering)— a class of people who, because they claimed it for tliemselves, granted it to everybwiy. (Great applause.) I have began to think within the last month, however, that probably, for religious liberty, some Protestants of the Province of Ontario will really have to go and take lessons from the Archbishop. (Loud and prolonged laughter and applause. ) I did suppose that thie Protestants of Ontario had such a love for the Bible, and sucli a belief in the Bible, that a great shont, a regular Halvation Army shout of " Halle- liyah ! '* would go up when it was known that Archbishop Lvnch had approved selections fi*om the Protestant Bible to be read in the Public 8chooLs. (Thunders of applause.) If the Archbishop never did a good thing before in his lite, he did a good thing which should secure for him the enthuslasitic commendation of all Protestant people in that. (Renewed applause.) And especially so when, in rolereuce to these selectious of Scripture, the only siggeetion which he made in the way of change was to substitute '* who " for the obsolete '• which " in the Lord's Prayer — an awful interference with Protestantism, a terrible attack upon the religious liberty and freedom of Ontario. (Laughter.) So, Mr. Chairman, Protestantism is in great peril. (Cheers and laughter.) But, seriously, Mr. Chairman, I do not intend to-morrow, when I stand in my pulpit, to take politics there. (Great applause.) God forbid that 1 should lend myself and my sacred ofiSce to party, and, under cover of the pulpit and ith sacred surroundings, endeavour'not only to stir up religious bigotry and hatred, but to use that for the purpose of elevating one party to powet at the expense of another. I am not a politician, and I am disposed always to accord worth and oharaoter to men of all parties in office when they deserve it. I have looked upon THK COURSE OF THE PREMIER of this Province with the highest satisfaction. (Loud and prolonged cheering.) It has seemed to me a most delightfu]. thing that throughout the length and breadth of this land we could look to him who is in the controlling position and feel that we had in that posi- tion an honest man — (cheei-s) — a capable man — (renewed cheers) — a pure man^ — (more cheering)— a Christian man. (Tremendous applause.) And one of the mysteries of ini- quity is how it can ba possible for Christian ministers to lend themselves to the tricks of party for the sake of hurling from office a Christian statesman of whom we are all proud. (Thunders of applausa) Mr. Chairman, I go f6r the Bible, I ^o for the selections. (Hear, hear.) Aud I rejoice that they have been eindorsed, lot only hf the thirty-eight or thirty-nine who are known to be DISGUISED JESUITS ' — (laughter) — but by the Archbishop himself. (Cheers.) And sir, I hope it will be found that those who are prepared to take all the risk— and it is a terrible risk — of exciting re- ligious bigotry in the community, and of stirring into flames fires which were smoulder- ing in their aehes, cau'sing those fires to blaze forth once more, assuming the awful re- sponsibility involved in fanning into fresh flames the embers of bigotry, find taking that risk and assuming that responsibility for the sake ot political effect, will have so far de- feated themselves that there shall go out a voice from the electors of all this Province declaring— down, henceforih and forever, with those who would resort to such a means of gaining political advantage, (iremendous applause. (Mr. Chairman, I desire to offer A MOTIOK to the effect that this meeting rejoices to acknowledge with thanks that, under the Ad- ministration of Hon. Oliver Mowat, all denominations and all creeds have had impartial justice. The reverend gentleman resumed his seat amidst a perfect hurricane of applause. THE SCRIPTURE RE II SENSELESS AND DISHONEST." REV. HUGH JOHNSTON Denounces the Cry Against the Scripture Rsadings. At the Carlton street Methodist Church on Sunday, the 19tb December, ^the Rev. Huffh Johnston, M.A.,B.D., preached an able diacou.se to a large congregation, taking ss his subject " The Sincere Milk of the Word," his text being I Peter, a, 2. He spoke of the Bible in its relation to the individual, the family, the school and to every day life Under the third heading he said :- " There is the Bible for the school-I had almos said a political Bible. I am disgusted with shams and dishonesties. And the biggest of all shams are these cries and stirrings up of religioa. animosity at election ^^^^f; J^^^^ is all this row over the book of selected readings for our Public Schools 1 Anybody who takes the trouble to go to the bottom facta will fin I it seems to me, « •"SeJfgS and dishonest cry. Has the »lb!e been orilered oni ot the Schooir*? No- you know it is left to the discretion of trustees and parents to say whether or not the kble .hall be read in the school ; but hei? is a Government regulation 1°, addition which makes it imperative that a selected portion of Scripture shall be read^J^e result is that a portion of the Word of God is read daily ill »» PCP cent, of OUF PuhliC Schools whereas before it was not rem! lu halJ ot them, ^et the wa 1 is*lt up^lll^he E?ble b^ been ddve. out of our Public Schools to make room for this book of authorized selections. That is not so. If the whole volumo of the Bible be the princ the JMiniste Con^regutli it is scarcely sjclectcd by to have been s( mittee above i ohange of " wl the Archbis Have til Rome have of the consequi embracing a cu men who gave adequate basis oelections I an faith distim It was fu should not gr should refti Au able j( the Minister, 1 ha\ang adoptes New Testamer with th-? greati My object I ure for use in ;o express 1 Horn by mU and layuieii •pponents of < ' ruvernment c i»ublic men in its most au book), the3 prompted t withont em party attae Toronto, 26 Sir, — Af lished and Education De (f the matter, juSiiCe DO I cdofthisi It has been the schem< rejection of tl A^oneoftl such a Toll s«* *l Sci 1^1 PTURB READINGS. r." r, the Rev. ., taking hb e spoke of J ddjr life, bad almost biggest of 68. What y\io\j who ileiss and ^hooii ? her or not in addition The result r Public et the wail am for this e Bible be I Readings. hbve just jxperienoed :b'j regular itilated be- j the Book ead in the there must )r of these Qorapetenoy this work. are fdiirly id callectioa 3d readings yer he put it in family 1(1 range it of A.i'cn- loot'ines ot jauae these I rejoica Johools and It is very dominanoy, roversy, for 3-overnment [>'rf when never gave gious feuds le extended t of the use t4> tfie principle of selections, and the main features of this 8elerti<^ the Minister of Educaticn is sustained by the representatives of the Cons:regational, Netiiodlst, Episcopal, and Presbyterian Churches. It is scarcely necessary, therefore, to say that the Hcrlpture Keadinj(S were UOt selected by Archl>i>4iop Lynch, nor under his direction. The drafl aeemt to have been sent to him in common with all the gentlemen composing this large com- mittee above refemd to, and the Archbishop suggested the harmless, if unnecessary^ change of " which" into " who" in the Lord's prayer; further th»p '-his the hand of the Archbishop was not Applied. Have those who assert that selections acceptable to the Church of Rome liave been made ever examined the book ? Have they any conception o!" the consequences of what they are saying 1 Are they prepared to admit that seleotiouB embracing a considerable part of both Testaments, and regarddd, pre8uro:-'uly, by the able men who gave the final revision as exhibiting fairly the 'teachings of the Bible, are an in- adequate basis for Protestantism I If the Archbishop of Toronto entirely approves of the 4elections I am delighted to hear it ; for in them I cain find every doctrine of my faith distinctly exhibited. It was further alleged, if my memory serves me, that selections were made which ihould not give offence to Agnostics ; but it WiO hardly be expected that I Hhould refute thin absurd proposition. Au able journal in this city, which cannot be suspected of undua partiality towardi the Minister, was pleased to say, " The Minister of Education is to be congratulated upon having adopted for use in the Common Schools a series of readings from the Old and New Testaments, together witii a brief form of prayer. . . The work has been prepared »vith th^ greatest care, and cannot fail to commend itself to parents."* — (The Mail) My object in writing this letter, as already said, is not to defend selections ot Scrip- 1 are for use in 8chOv/.a, nor to endorse in every particular the compilation in question, but '©express my sincere condemnation of all attempts to discredit Mr. ttoss by misrepresenting facts which are well known to many ministers and laymen in a...! the Churches. I would equally bear testimony on behalf of the •pponents of the Ontario Government should their action have been in question. No • rt.vernment can complain of fair and honeat criticism, however searching ; but when public men strive to do right, and to follow the best sentiment of the community in its most authentic expression (as Mr, Ross has done in tb') matter of this book), they are entitled, I think, to expect that those who have prompted their action, and as it were pushed them forward, shall not without emphatic protest allow that action to become the ground of party attack. WM, CAVEN. Toronto, 26th Nor. 7 .-{««'".-«•■• From Dr. Dewart, Sir,— As many incorrect and misleading statements have been pub- lished and circulated respecting the " Scripture Readings " issued by the 1 Education Department of Ontario, a brief presentation of the main facts in the history Hi the matter, and of the reasons which justify such sdeotions, will be only an act of arters in re- • _^« _£_ i*_ . __„ ^ ^ •_ - £ J «. - »1fc-- „A _ _ J.__ -A ^^B^ •rr* ed of this way of providing Scriptural readings In the Public Schools. It has been alleged in various forms that the^d " Scripture Readings " were the scheme or work of Archbishop Lynch, and that their use is equivalent to a rejection of the Bible, which, it is said, has been dishonored and dethroned by this volume. As one of the Protestant Ministers who approved of the publication of such a volume, and who took part in the preparation and revision of bound, on behalf of myself and fnL a iueTtion whU o/ght to give the Biaoereat rejoiciag to all part»ea-the extended wading of Bible truth in all our Public and High SohooU. The following letters, by various prominent clergyoien of different Protestant denom ioakions, clearly show what they think of the effort to m.ke a political cry out of thejise in our Public Schools of the Scripture IteAdings :— From Rev. Principal Caven. Sim-The Ulnistep o! Education Is attacked from various quartern in r, tard to the book of « Scripture Ileartiirjis" for the use in the Public Schools. This attacic seems to me quite groundless, and sucli as no exigencies oi •arty warfare can justify. I am certainly not anxious to intervene in the political inflict, but I think it my duty to malce a brief statement regarding these "Readings. , « « . a.m Tlie Education' Department, in authorizing selections of Scripture, actCfl tfti tonfonnlty witli representations made to tlie Department by th. Chrrclies ot Ontario and by the Provincial Teaciiers' Association. A large deputation of the Cliurcli of Eugiaud and of the Mcthodist and Presbyterian Churches submitted to the Attomey-Ceneral a resolution of which the following is part : — " That this conference pledges itself to press upon the Attorney-General the making of the reading of the Holy Scriptures by the chUdren and teacher . . .an obliga- toiy exercise ft the openini of the Public Schools of Ontario, the passage of Holy Scnp- t^ to 1)6 read each day to be prescribed by the Department m conformity with the recommendations of the Committee of this Conference, or some other representative of the ▼arioufl Churches of Ontario, etc." . The Teachers resolved !— " That the reading of selected portions of Scripture as a part of the regular daily^oxer- ciaes of the school, would be a material aid to teachers in the discharge of their duties in respect to moral training," and " that the Educational Dapavtment do make a suitable se- lection of Scriptnre readings for the schools under its charge. A selection of readings was accordingly made, and before receiving authorization was submitted to a large joint committee of the Churches, eaeb member of the committee had a copy Seut to him for examination in advance When the committee met, its first action vr as to approve of the princi pie of a book of Scripture readings ; afterwards free and general expressions of opinion regarding the proposed selection took place, and a SUb-C<»mmittee, represent ing the several Churches, was appointed to examine the selections carefully in detail- The writer of this letter, whUe not a member of the sub-committee, was present at the meeting of the general committee and kuOWS What W&S donc. The Minister In issuing this maligned book was but giving eflfect to the strongly expressed wishes of the Churches and the teachers. I am not here arguing for the use of selections in preference to the use of the entire Bible, but stating the circumstances under which this wdecKon received approval j and it Will thus be scen how little gpouud there Is for accusing the Department of proceeding in opposition to, or in Ignorance of, the opinion of the Churches, ^.x. „ , c The regulations approved in 1884 do not require " the reading of the Holy bcnp tures " by the children and teachers, which I think the committee of the Churches desired, and which seems to me decidedly preferable to reading by the teachers alone ; and to this extent effect has not been given to the view, of the Church Committee ; but in regard lished and Education Dep in the matter, Justice to tl {>d of this w It has been the scheme rejection of th< is one of tl such a volii these ** Scr other minit struction tl of the Ohurohi written againe to arouse a character, and ^ A simp] the action tak course and he that there I dishonore<] The An Conference Scriptures in tills requcj point urged b optional, it si agreed upon t anited bod joint resolttti* And that Scriptural anc Education De stmotioni sometime aft part of the di commend* lection of In respfl have prepari Having first gether th< ifter fall approved and appoint* ing the prop %nt denom of the use rters in r r K)lg. TtliH sncies of he political ■ding these ire, actCid !llt by thr II. A large ibyterian which th( he making an obligar ioly Scrip- iy with the itive of the • daily,oxer- ir dudes in suitable se- C receiving Ches, each in advance. he princi- 'es^aas of 5, represent lly in detail 18 present at » Minister ;ly expressed of selections er which this iind tliere 1 to, or ill I Holy Scrip rches desired, ; and to this In regard ii!!«lied and circulated respecting the " Scripture Readings " issued by the Education Department of Ontario, a brief presentation of the main facts in the history "af the matter, and of ti.j reasons which justify such srieotions, will be only an act of Justice to the representatives of tlie Protestant Churches, who approv- ed of this way ol providing Scriptural readings in the Public Schools. • It has been allep«»i in various forma that these " Scripture Readings*' were the scheme or work of Archbishop Lynch, and that their use is equivalent to a rejection of the Bible, wiiich, it is said, has been dishonored and dethroned by this volume. 4s one of the Protestant Ministers who approved of tlie publication of such a volume, and who took |Mirt in the preparation and revision of these "Scripture Readings," I feci bound, on behalt of myself and the other ministers concerned, to re|>udiate the unfair and Incorrect con- struction that has been put upon the adoption of this method of supplying the demand of the Churches for more religious instruction in the scfiools. Much of what has been written against ahe "Scripture Readings " I cauuot but regard aS an attempt to arouse unwarranted prejudice, and to mialead the public mind as to the aim. character, and tendency of the volume under discussion. A simple statement of the facts ol the case, the circumstance that led to thraction taken, and the names and character of *^e gentlemen who approved of thig course and helped to carry it out, ought tO COUVlHCe all Caudld ProtCStautS that there is no ground whatever for the charsfe that the Bible has been dishonored to gratify Archbishop Lynch and the Roman Catholics. The Anglican and Presbyterian Synods, and some of the Mfcthodist Conferences, passed resolutions recommending jaore general and regular reading of the Scriptures in the Public Schools ; an.^ thesfe bodies appointed deputations tO prcSS this request upon the attention ol the Ontario Government, The main point urged by them was that, instead of the reading of the Scriptures in the schools being optional, it should be made obligatory, These deputations met as a united committee and agreed upon the resolution which they should present to the Government. Then, as a united body, they held a conference with the Attorney General. The joint resolution agreed upon closed with these words : — And that this Confere. a press upon the Government the necessity for a return to the Scriptural and moral instruction contained in the first series of National Readers, issued by the Education Department for use in the PubUo Schools of Ontario, or of some simUar religious in- stmotioni The Teachers' Fr-^^incial Association sometime after thU recommended " the reading of selected portions of Soriptnre m a part of the daily school exercise," and to carry out this idea the Association further re- commended that the Education Department do make " a suitable se- lection of Scripture readings for the schools under its charge." to response to these appeals the Minister oi llducation arranged to have prepared a book of Scripture lessons to be read in all the Public Schools. Having first submitted a copy of the proposed system of lessons to each, he Called to- gether the members of the deputations from the Churches, and Submitted the Proposal to Them. After ftill consideration of the whole question, this conference of ministen approved of the plan of a volume of Scripture selections as the best method practwAble, and appointed a SUb-f Omuiittee Ol their members to aid in preparing and revis- ing the proposed book of lessone. This sHb-commlttee c^refttHy performed THE SCRIPTUR] this duty. The book itself ia the bwt evidence of the manner in which the work waa done. It haa been justly claimed by the sub committee " that the volume of, selections was intended to be thoroughly representative of every portion of the Scriptures, whether of a moral or doctrinal character." The selections have met with general approval, even Th4 MaU congratulated the Minister of Education on liaving adopted this series of remiillgs for use in the Common Schools, and warmly commended the work. That was before the idea of representing it as a dishonour to the Bible and a blow to Protestantism was thought out. I want Hpecialiy tocaii attention to tlie fact that not only the subcommit- tee of revision, whose names have been often mentioned, approved of preparing these Scripture selections, but THE LARQl JOINT OOMMITrEE OF PROTESTANT MINISTERS AND LAYMEN, representing not only the three Churches already named, but also Baptist and Congregational ministers, approved ol this course, which the public are now asked by certain parties to believe is the adoption of ^ Roman Catholic policy that rejects and dishonours the Bible. Here are the names of thememhers ofthe joint committee of representatives to whom the proof-sheets of the readings were sent, and who, at their meeting ap- proved of the prei^aration and publication of a l)ooi£ of Sci 'ptur^ Readings :— Tiiie Methodist Churti . x^cv. Dr. Rose, Rev. Dr. Sutherland, Rev. Dr. Dewart, Rev. S. J. Hunter, Rev. W. S. Blackstock, Rev. E. Ro'u rts. Rev. J. M. Simpson, Mr. John Macdonald, Mr. R. Walker, Mr. Warring Kennedy, and Mr. Justice Rose. Church of England.— Very Rev. Archdeacon Boddy, M.A.; Rev. Provost Body, K.A.; Rev. John Langtry, M.A.; Rev. J. P. Lewis, Rev. I. Middleton, B.A.; Rev. J. W. Beck, Rev. A. Sanson, Hon. G. W. Allan, Mr. N. W. Hoyles, B.A.; Mr. 0. R W- Biggar, M.A.; Mr. G. B. Kirkpatrick, Mr. A. McLean Howard, and J. A Worrel, B.O.L ? The Presbyterian Church.— Rev. Dr. Laing, Rev. Dr. Gregg, Rev. Principal [Grant, Rev. Principal Caven, Rev. H. M. Parsons, Rev. S. Lyle, Rev. W. T. McMullen, I Charles Davidson, Mr. J. L. Blaikie, Mr. James McLellau, Q.C., Mr. H. Cassels, Dr Macdonald. The Congregational Church.— Rev. H. P. Powis, Rev. John Burton, B.D. The Baptist Church.— Rev. Dr. Castlet All these gentlemen were not present at the meeting of the conference that approved o the proposfci book, but nearly all the ministers named were there, and I believe th^ proof-sheets were sent to every member of the diflferGnt deputations so that none of them were left in ignorance of what was proposeS, or without an oppor tunity of objecting. And yet, in the face of these fa4;ts respecting the origin, the approval and objects of the book, the Protestants of Ontario are aslced to \u lieve chat these Scripture readings were an anti Protestant movemenJ designed to dishonour the Bible and banish it from the Public Schools. This could only I true on the supposition that this conference of Protesiant Minister was knowingly laitkiess and disioyal to the Bible, or too stupid to uade.^ stand the purport and effect of the course of action of which iLey ttppioveu. It «iil I impossible to persuade the people of Ontario that they were either the ono or the other. Tl Protestant Ministers who approved of the proposed readings are certainly a' loyal to the Bible, and as jealous of its honour as the most blatant of thei partisan assailants. For myself and the Christian gentlemen with who< I wAa associated, I fling back the clap-trap appeals and partisan misrepresentations as mean and slanderous aspersions on the character of men who were honest! .H iT.fAiiiamif.w ».. leavouring to prompte a fuller knowledge ofthe life-givin 'I'oviniM llMMit til ilcely to ToroB Principal < Tbet is not opei for '•♦'ason mat . of ] ing of tl chMdren ble pashj the teache some time and useiul of the No: I rtj( of their I same lesco us. But 1 for still gr own, and genty, a Peacem< of Hamilt 1 kno was first p the best b foundly in the u idea ot In a Si: which 1 b! the projec ihe Roma method ol pared and olic origii intense dc bottom oi assertions that at al »»• R, quieitions lege of m of any cai " Scriptui troversy 1 of Educat SCRIPTURE READINGS. the work wa« A of, Belectioua >tares, whether approval, even ng adopted ommended the ble aod a blow le subcommit- repariDg these YHEN, Baptist and the public are }lic policy that repreaentativea meeting ap- ►f Sci'ptnix! 3v. Dr. Dewart, SimpsoQ, Mr. I Roae. Provost Body, B.A.; Rev. J. Mr. 0. R. W. Worrel, B.O.L Rev. Principal ^ T. McMullen, R. Cassels, Dr irton, B.D. ihat approved <^ d I believe th^ deputations ithout au oppor he approval asked to Im t movement his could only !• int Slinister ipid to tiadei >V6U. It nrlii ^ p the other. Tl I certainly a- atantof thei aen with whoi jreprosentation t 10 were houestl he life-givin; 'I'oviiK'e are as weak, its fJiiii.Hy, aiKl as tlillle as M'hat has been iir^ed ihout (he ** Scripture Keadin;j;H'Mn the PuhHe School!!!, tliey are not ikely to secure the coufldeuce of candid and intelliK<>nt peoph% E. H. DEWART. TorontOk Nov. 35. ISM Rev. Dr. Nelles, Principal of Victoria Univertlty, in a letter, says : — The lair inference seems to be that a work so prepared, so examined, and so approved is not open to any serious objections, nor the use of it in our Public Schools a ground for '•♦'asonable complaint, much less a ground for attack upon the Government. As a mat . of personal opinion (whatever that may be worth) I held the fremicnt read- ings ol these heautlftil and appropriate select Ions to he hetler for the chMdren of any school than the reading of a wider range of less suita- hie passages, and tar belter than any hasty or chance seitctions that might be made by the teacher, especially a young and inexperienced teacher, and i may add that I have for some time used the book in my own family devotions, and have found it very convenient and ueetul for that purpose. The Rev. John Burton, of the Northern Congregational Church, Toronto, in a letter, says : — I rejoice to know that 60,000 children of Papal parents mingle with the children of their Protestant neigh jours, sit at the pame desk, play on the same ground, hear the same lesEons, read from the livir.j. Word. Would that the oneness were universal amongst us. But this, to me, senseless irritation no oeing incited, seems to be paving the way for still greater separation, when Anglican, Presbyterian, and Methodist will all claim their own , and the bitterness of religious alienation ensue. 1 pray CJod avert this contin- gent y, and 1 venture another selection in closing:— "Blessed are the Peacemakers, lor they shall he called sons of tJod.»» The Rev. Dr. S. J. Hunter, of Hamilton, says :— _ , . „ ., . • 1 know the history of the book. 1 have used it in my family ever sino© It was first published- and use it still. For devotional purposes it is one ot the best— if not the best bock of selections with which I am acquniiited. We OUght tO feel pro- foundly grateful to the Minister of Education for the part he has taken in the matter. Let the Scripture KeadnigH l)e kept in the schorno by all means. Th« idea ot it Is the outcome ot wise Protestant though/. The Rev. Dr. Dewart. In a letter to the Globe of the 11th of December, the Rev. Dr. Dewart wrote :— Sir,— Some time ago you published a letter from me on the Scripturt eadings, in which 1 showed that there was no just ground for the allegation that the Reaaings wera the project of Arch bishop Lynch, and introduced into the Public Schools to please him and the Roman Catholics, but on the contrary, that the causes which led to the adoption of this method of supplying a felt want, and the circun Lances under which the work was pre- pared and approved, unanswerably pn.ved, that tne bo. k had a Protestant and not a Cath- olic origin. A great deal has since been written on the subject in the Mail, which evinces an intense de ire, but small ability, to sustain the charge that Archbishop Lynch was at the bottom of the whole mattei ; but most of this writing has been made up ot irrelevant aBsertions and insinuations U^X could not be proved. Nothing has been brought forward that at all affects the force and relevancy of the facts stated by Principal Caven and my- j.„if p.,,,. ipRt. mv f.ile.nce should l-e misconstrued as an admission that the lengthy dis- quisitions and captious questionings had any real reltvancy and force, I claim the privi- lege of making a few additional remaiks in the way of a brief review of the subject IF EVER THE BOTTOM COULD BE SAID TO HAVE FALLEN OUT of any case, this ca ^ be truthfully predicted of the charge that the introduction of th» '• Scripture Readings " was a Roman Catholic scheme. The facts brought out in the con- troversy have completely confuted those who have urged this charge against the Minister of Education. A brief glance at the main facts of the case will conclusively show this to. wu KiiOWingl ■tand the purport and effect of the course of action of whioh thej approved. It will I" impo«rible to persuade the ii^ople of Ontario that they were either the ono or the other. Tli Proteetant Ministers wJio approved of the proposed readings are certainly &> loyal to the Bible, and as jeetloua of its honour as the most bla tar '^ * thei parti8€ui assailants- For myself and the Christian gentlemen with whoi I wis associated, I fling back che clap-trap appeals and partisan misrepresentation* as mean and slanderous aspersions on the character of men who were honestl and intelligently endeavouring to promote a fuller knowledge of the life-givin; truths of the Bible among the youth of the country. I confess I have been surprised at the weakness and unfaimesi of the appeal mad against the Bible tolections, an^ the desperate efforts to make the teachers believe thi they were slighted and ill-used in the matter. If t!l« Scrljltures iu*e to he rew In the Schools at all, some selections must be made. Only a brief portici of Scripture can be read at any one time. It will not be denied that some portic:) of Scripture are better adapted to Instruct and edify children au youth than others. Somebody most make the selection. Can it be denied that f- lections chosen in the way these seleotiuus were made are more likely to be choceu judir ously than if the selection is left to the hurried impulse of the moment f I am glad to learn from a recent statement of the Minister of Education that sluc the issue of the Readings, the Scriptures arc much more exteusivel. read in the Schools than form: rly. This must be gratifying to ever Protestant who is not warped by some perverting influenoa The objeot SOUgb by the Churches is evidently being accomplished A great step to ward has been achieved. There has been a disingenuous play on the phrase " The Bible in the School," as if j meant only the Old and New Testament bound in cue volume and kept within the wall of the Bchool-hc .se. By " The Bible in the School," I understand the truths of th< Bible read and taught In the school as part of the daily exercisca It would intrude too much upon your space for me to reply to the cavilling objections that have been urged in tho columns of the Mail against these Scripture Readings. , Tbi mere statement of most of these cavillings reveals their essential weakness and unfitirtiesvv But I may be permitted to ask ;— Is the more extensive reading of the es lightening truths of Holy Scripture in €ur Ontario Schools something that should rouse the opposition ot Frotc stants as If it were a calamity to be deplored ? Is the form in which the Siiriptures are bound more sacred and important than the spiritual truths which enlightim the mind and purify the heart '' Does the Church of England dishonour the Bible when she inserts in her Prayer>Book select lessons to be read in the public servioet] t Does the Bible Society dishonour the Bible when it publishes parts of the Scriptures in se^utrate volumes for reasons of economy ard convenience 1 Were the different books Of Scripture dishonoured, or robbed of their authority and spiritual power, in the time before they were all bound together in our modern form, in one volume t Does the selection cf certain Scriptural lessons by the International Sunday-School Com- mittee, and their publication on separate fly-leaves, dishonour the Bible ? Are the Bible truths given in these " Scripture Readings " any less the Word of God, " quick and powerful " because they are published in this form t I am satisfied to leave every honest man to answer these questions for himselC In view of the facts and arguments which I have hastily named, and others which it would occupy too much space to state here, I do not hesitate to say that, if tlie other grounds on which It Is alleged that Protestanism Is in donffcr in thi.s iCl at all i< self. But 1 quieitioua a It^e of mali of any case, " Scripture troverey lia' of Eductttio be so. 1. The by Mr. Ker the work w before Mr. ] 2. The Churches b( Readings fo 3. The these demai lined and t>x 4. He different C' Synods and bodies that and Rev. M 5. The tations tuge Scripture B 6. As 1 men as to t] But after a approved o: mittee, repr tion. Tiiis on this com 7. Son Mail, ibr an project host met togethi signed and put upon t gained by t! up by the I of Brantfon history of t conclusion :- I Still bitterly p on the ui best solul children i Brant/i ,0 unaei kJ. It wUl \7 he other. Tli lertalnly a' iar"" * thei )I1 with whoi ipresentationi were honesll 3 llfe-givin; appeal mad ; believe tht' to be rea< brief portioi le porttc:) ildreu an lunied that f- choceu jadir that bIik' Bxtensivel. ? to ever. jeot sougb t step to shool," as if j thin the wall iths of tli< ing objection;* ladings. , Tbi ad unfairue&s of the cm tiouaethiii^ a calamity re sacred and y the heart "i nserts'in her »Ie Society e volumes for ' Scripture le before they eleotion of hool Com- ? Are the e Word of imselC hers which it ' the other ser iu this at at all i.TT^(>c(8~irie Rirco ana feievancy oi ineTHCirBiatBa oy iTincipai Ui»Y?ii ant self. But. lest my silence should l>e misconstrued a« an admisaion that the lengthy di»~ quisitioua ard captious qneBtionings had any real reltvancy and force, I claim the privi- lege of making a few additional remaika in the way of a brief review of the subjt;ei IF EVER THE BOTTOM COULD BE SAID TO HAVE FALLEN OUT of any case, this can be truthfully predicted of the charge that the introduction of th» " Scripture Readings " waa a Human Catholic scheme. The facta brought out in the con- troversy have cuni|)letely confuted those who have urged this charge against the Miniater of Education. A brief glance at the main facts of the case will conclusively show this to be sa 1. The Bibic Readings finally adopted after Sonne changes, were originally selected by Mr. Kerr, a staunch Protestant and a Cunseivative in politics, who consulted about the work with such men aa Rev. Dr. Nellea, Rev. Dr. Cochrane, and Archbishop Lyaoh^ before Mr. Boss knew anything of the matter. 2. The Ontario Teachers' Association and the representatives of the Proteatani Churches both urged the Ontario Government to make a suitable selection of Scripture Readings for the U(>e of schools. 3. The Minister of Education came to the conclusion that the best way of meeting these demands was by adopting such a selection of Bible Readings as Mr. Kerr had oat- lined and suggested, 4. He therefore printed and fsent c'~r''^8 of these selections to each member of th» different Church deputations, appointed y the Church of England and Presbyterian Synods and the Methodiet Conferences, and also to leading clergymen of other religiou* bodies that had not sent deputations — among others to Dr. Castle, Atchbibhop Lynch, and Rev. Mr. Burton. 5. The Miniftterof Education then called the members of these different Church depa> tations together to consult them and to hear their judgment as to tlie publication of thea* Scripture Readings for use in schools. 6. As might be expected, there was some diversity of o]nnion among these gentle- men as to the extent to which reli^ons instruction could be given in our Public SchooUi. But after a free conversation discusbing these points, the conference, WITH PRACTICAL UNANIMITY, approved of the publication of the selections in book form, and appointed a sub-com- mittee, representing the diff^-rent Churches, to go over the work and revise it for publica- tion. Tlii8 was done with great care. The Minister of Education imposed no restraint* on this committee. 7. Some time after the publication of the book, when an attempt was made in th» Mail, for an evident purpose, to represent the Scripture Readings as a Roman Catholio: project hustile to the B.ble, the ministers who constituted the sub-committee of revision met together at Knox College and adopted an explanatory memorandum, which they signed and published. In this document they repudiate the false and unfair construction put upon the publication of the Readings, and mention several important advantages gained by the use of such Readings in our Public Schools. This memor<»ndum was drawn, up by the Rev. Provost Body, of Trinity College. Rev. Dr. Cochrane, of Brantford, in a letter published in the Globe of Dec. 2nd, after clearly reviewing th» history of the introduction of the Scripture Readings into our Public Schools, says in conclusion : — I still further rej^ret that the Minister or Education has been so bitterly attacked, for what was recognized by the Ontario Government, on the united request of the Protestant Churches of Ontario, as the best solution of a vexed question, and needflil ior the training of our children in religious truth. Brantford, November '30. Wm. COCHRANE.