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Le diagramme suivant illustre la mdthode : 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ^^ UNIVERSITY FEDERATION: X?toSIDERED IN ITS RELATION TO THE EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS OF THE METHODIST CHURCH. BY THE REV. E. H. DEWART, D.D. AN IMPORTANT PRACTICAL QUESTION. Should the Methodist peddle avail themselves of the advantages of the'J>rovisiion which the State has made in this Province for Uni- versity education 1 or should they, by sustaining a separate denomina- tional University, place themselves in a position of rivalry and opposition to the State University, as if they had no interest in it, and were not a part of the people for whose benefit it was established 1 Recent events and existing circumstances invest this question with grave practical iraporiance, for all Methodists who are interested in the educational progress of their Church and country. The Minister of Education for Ontario, assiste.1 by representatives of all the Univer- sities in the Pro\'ince, has formulated and submitted a plau for a Federation of ail existing University and Theological Colleges around one central State University. The Board of Eegents of Victoria XJitivorsity, after protracted consideration, has approved of the scheme, on condition of certain amendments being granted. Trinity College, Toronto, has taken similar action. The question demands careful and candid consitleration. it cannot, therefore, be deemed untimely, or superfluous, that I should submit to the ministers and laymen of our Church a brief survey of the chief historic facts relating to this subject, and a calm stateraen-t of the important considerations suggested by the present state of things. I am impelled to adopt this course, mainly, by the conviction that the real character of the proposed scheme of Colleg(i Federation is not rightly understood by many of our people. . A BRIEF UISTORIC REVIEW. It is well known that at an early period in the history of Upper Canada large grants of land were set apart for the support of Univer- sity education. This endowment, like the Clergy Reserves, was claimed and seized by one denomination ; and King's College was established as an exclusively Chui'ch of England institution. This unfair and exclusive policy compelled the Methotiists and Presby- terians to establish and sustain Colleges for the education of the youth of their respective Churches. In this they displayed laudable enterprise and liberality. In 1849 Mr. Baldwin had a new University Act passed, which took away the special control from the Church of England, and placed the University on a broader basis, though it remained largely under the direction of the same pa) ties. This Act contemplated the atfiliation of other Colleges with the University; but nothing of this kind took place. A new Act, passed in 1853, refers to the failure of this object as a reason for the new legislation, Thu avowed object of this new legis- lation was to extend the benotit and increase the influence of Colleges already established in the Province, by connecting them with the Provincial University. But the contemplated affiliation did not take place ; because, although the Act of 1853 provided for the distribution of all " surplus " of University income for academical education, the surplus never v/as so applied. The managers of the University were quite able to use the whole income, and the outlying Colleges had only the privilege of affiliation, without any support. At a later period, in 1860, a combined etibrt was made by the Church Colleges to induce the Legislature to recognize tJie work of the denominational Colleges and to give them some equital)le share of the "surplus" income; but this etfort failed, oecaus of the strenuous opposition of the representatives of the University of Toronto. In the meantime, the claims of the Church (/olleges were so far acknow- ledged, that the sum of $20,000 a year was set apart for Higher Edu- cation, from which these Colleges continued \to receive annual gratits, till in "the first session . after Confederation these grants were discon- tinued, and the Colleges were thrown wholly on private benevolence. This i)rompted earnest appeals for an endowment fund, which in one form or another have been kept up from that time to the present. The liberality of our people in this juncture saved Victoria College from extinction. L In 1868, Jriother effort was made in the Ontario Legislature, on a motion of Mr. Clarke, of Gronville, to carry out the intention of the Act of 1853, by giving support to the Colleges atfiliating with the University; but the "sectarian" cry was raised, and the attempt failed. From that time till now, Victoria has gone on doing vcluable and efficient educational work ; but struggling with grave financial difficulties, and cramped in her work for want of more liberal resources. The self-sacrificing loyalty and devotion of her President and Professors has been the main element of her strength. Only for professors who did overwork on small salaries the College could not Jiave continued in existence. THE RECENT COLLEUE CONTPOVERSY. The recent appeal of the representatives of Toronto University for an addition to the endowment of that in.stitution raised a new College controversy. Principal Grant led oft', and friends of Victoria and Trinity followed. I took my full share in that discussion, V)oth in the GuARDi.VN and in th^ daily papers, vindicating the work of the Church Oolleges, and maintaining their right to some recognition by the State, as an important part of the educational agencies of the country. But in that controversy 1 learned Uiost unmistakably that there was a strong opposition, in Ontario, to giving any grants to denominational Colleges ; and that a considerable part of our own Church strongly sympathized with this opposition. c- ORIGIN OF THE FEDERATION SCHEME. Out of this discussion came suggestions that some plan of College Federation might be devised which, without direct grants to Church Colleges, would give them important advantages ; and at the same time aid in building up a strong national University, on a sound liberal basis, that would be acceptable to the representatives of the different Church Colleges The Hon. G. W. Ross, Minister of Education, held several private conferences with representatives of all the Colleges ; and after much discussion, and some concession and compromise, they agreed upon an outline of a plan for uniting all Colleges doing University work, and the Theological Colleges in Toronto, in one University, which should sustain the same relation to all these Confederating Colleges. THE PROPOSED PLAIT Or -EDERATrON. In order to economize space, I condense the main featurea im. thin proposed scheme of Federation : University College, Toronto, and all denominational Colleges shall he grouped around one central Provincial University. Each College- shall have the full government of its ovu students. Part of the sub jects of the fall' University course shall be taught in the Colleges, and part by a staff of University Professors, to vv^hose lectures students- ei all the Colleges shall have free accc ^8. The University course. of study shall include Biblical Greek, Biblical Literature, Christian Ethies, Apologetics, and Church History. University College and the Uni- versity Professoriate shall be sustained from the public funds set apart for University Education ; the Church Colleges sliall be supported by private liberality. All the Colleges shall be represented on the Senate, which shall bo the governing body of the University. The- Head of each Confederating College, and one other member elected by its governing body, shaU l)e members of the Senate. The graduates, of all the Confederating Colleges shall also be entitled to representa- tion in the Senate. The Senate of the University shall have the- right to enquire into the conduct and teaching of every Professor in the University faculty, and recommend to the Government such action^ as may be deemed expedient. The Confederating Colleges are to hold their degree-conferring powers in abeyance during the continuance of this Confederation, except degrees in Divinity. Undergraduates in Confederating Colleges are to be admitted to the sajiie standing they had in the College to which they belonged. The University Profes- soriate shall be adeqiiate to give instruction in each of the following subjects, namely : Pure Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy, Geology,. Mineralogy, Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Zoology, Botany, Physi- ology, Ethnology, History, Italian and Spanish, Logic and Metaphysics, History of Philosophy, Political Economy and Civil Polity, Constitu- ■ lonal Law, Jurisprudence, Engineering. These are the main provisions of the proposed arrangement. The University Professoriate, to whose instruction students of all Colleges shall be admitted free, is the most important feature of the scheme, so far as the Church Colleires are concerned. FEDERATION ACCEPTED BY OUR COLLEGE BOARD. The demand created by the recent Union for a new departure in our educational work, and the growing conviction that we could not hope to secure at Cobourg the amount of n\oney necessary for the buildingi' and endowment of a first-class University, made it an oppor- tune time to decide what was best for the interests of our Church and the country. On tlie 9th of January this scheme was fully d'scussed and considered at a largely-attended meeting of the Board of Regents of Victoria University. The following is the report of its action, as sent to the daily papers, I believe, by the Secretary : — A resolution expressing approval of the general principle of Confederation •wa moved by Judge Doan, and seconded by Rev. Dr. Burwash. An amnnd- meiit .was moved by Hev. Dr. Sutherland, and seconded by Mr. McLaren. Both resolution and amendment were withdrawn in favour of a resolution moved by Rev. Dr. Carman, which was considered and voted upon clause by clause, alterations being made as the discussion proceeded. When the meeting had agreed upon the wording of the resolution it was adopted with virtual unanimity. The resolution as adopted is as follows : — Inasmucli as a proposal is made to the Board of Regents, with the sanction of the Minister of Education of the Province of Ontario, to form a B^ederation of ■Colleges in one Pi-ovincial University ; and inasmuch as the Methodist people of the country, in all branches of our Methodism, have always declared them- selves willing to accept and maintain a system of University education that would secure on the one hand the higher culture in sciences and arts, under proper religious influences and safeguards, and on the other hand equality in privileges, advantages, and academic standing of the youth of the country; and inasmuch as the general principle of Federation embodied in the present memo- randum, forwarded to the Board under the approbation of the Minister of Edu- •cation, i« in harmony with the principles we have so long cherished ; we express our readiness aa a Board, on educational and patriotic grounds, to join in such a Federation and to move the proper authorities of our Church tiiereto as they may detei'mine, provided the following conditions are made : — 1. Equitable compensa tion to all Colleges united in the Fe(Je ration for the losses incident to their entering the Federation. 2. The perfect e«T[uality of all Colleges, University College included, in their relations to and rights in the Provincial University. 3. Such an arrangement as shall secure to the alumni of all the Colleges an •equitable representation in perpetuity. 4. That the chairman of the University Professoriate be appointed by the ■Government. 5. That the transfer of subjects from the Univei'sity College course to the "Course under the University Professoriate, or i>ice versa, shall be made only by a three-fourths majority of the Senate. FURTHER MODIFICATIONS OP THE SCHEME. We have satisfactory ground for saying, that the following modifica- tions will be incorporated in the Bill, when it is submitted to the Legislature: (1) That a three-fourths vote of the Senate shall be necessary to transfer subjects from the University Faculty to Univer- sity College, or vice versa: (2) That the name of the Provincial University shall be the University of Ontario : (3) That the graduates of all the Confederating Colleges shall be graduates of the Provincial University, with equal rights as members of convocation, etc. ; (4) That the graduates of the Confederating Colleges shall have equal 6 proportionate representation in the Senate with the future graduates of the Provincial University, so long as their constituencies continue to exist : (5) That University College shall be one of the Confed- erating Colleges. It will be seen from this, that the modifications asked by our Board will be substantially granted, and the change of the name of the University beside. The question of compensation for losses caused by chang(! of location of course rests with the Government and the Legislature. But as we expect to obtain a free site for our College in the Queen's Park, and to be able to dispose of our Cobourg pro- perty on fair terms, for some useful institution, this will fairly lueet the proviso respecting corapensatioi, in the acceptance of the plan of Federation by our Board. No impartial person will deny that this is a fair and liberal scheme, which ought to commend itself to the approval of intelligent and patriotic men who can rise above prejudice and local considerations, and judge of the proposed changes on their merits. " , . ■■'•;.. . '"'■: '■'.'' '■" " ^ GENKRAL ADVANTAGES OP FEDERATION. Such a union of the difleront Colleges, in one thoroughly equipped University, would confer great advantages upon the cause of Higher Education in the Province. (1) It would give us a uniform standard of examinations for all X^niversity degrees. The same degree would^ in every case, represent the same standing in scholarship ; and every shadow of temptation to lower the standard in order to increase the number of graduates would be removed. (2) It would enable us ta build up and maintain a first-class University, possessing ample pro- vision for efficient teaching in every department of University work, which would render it unnecessary for our best young men to go to other countries to complete their education. This is an object worthy of our patriotic ambition ; and which cannot be attained by a system of struggling Colleges exercising University powers. (3) The inter- cour-se and association of students during College life, would promote a spirit of unity and kindly feeling between young men of different Churches and parties, who must work together in the future in our municipalities and legislatures. At the present time, when Churches are drawing closer together, and sectarian animosities are dying out, it is eminently proper that we should give some practical evidence of this better spirit, by greater unity and liberality in our educational work. Professions of a desire for Christian unity are not worth much if they bear no practical fruit. (4) It would mai. e our Provincial tJniversifcy truly national, as the University of the whole people ; and placie it more directly under the roligioMP inlluence of the Churches which w ould form its constituency. This could not fail to elevate its spirit and life. (5) It would introduce a healthy competition between the xVrls Colleges connected with the central University, which would give a new impulse to the ciillerent departments of College work. 1 have never believed that u.U the teaching of the country in University studies should be done in one College. Competing Colleges are a very different thing from competing Universities. . If it be objected that these V)enefits relate to the country in general, and should not inlluence us as a Church, I reply : If the policy of the opponents of University Federation is such as to prevent tlieni feeling a patriotic, practical interest in the improvement of the Higher Educa- tion of the country, then it is certain that-such a policy is too narrow and unpatriotic to be the educational policy of the Methodist people. As an important part of the people of this Province, the Provincial University belongs as much to the Methodists as to any others. We should rise above prejudice, and look at the question from a liberal and patriotic stand-point. It is possible for appeals to sectional and denominational feeling to degenerate into an unreasonable sec- tarianism. Let us guard against this mistake. ... ^ .:.: . REASONS AVHY METHODISTS SHOULD ACCEPT i- i^DERATION. , In addition to the general advantages which T have mentioned, there are weiglity special reasons why Methodists should accept this proposed Federation, and co-operate heartiiy in making it a success. I shall briefly name some of these reasons. 1. 77/e proposed arranyenient JuUij provides for all the objects which our Mdhodist fathers had in view in establishing and main- taining Victoria College. This was unanswerably shown by President Nelles and Prof. Burwash, at the meeting of the Board in January. The object of maintaining a denominational College was for the education of our youth in the different branches of sound learning, and of exercising Christian guardianship over their moral and religious well-being. No one will pretend that the proposed Federation does not make ample provision for the education of students in the different branches of Science and Litei \ture. The moral and religious side is equally well guarded. As Methodists we have justified ourselves in raaintatning a separate denonn' national University — not because we held it to be the duty of the Church to teach all secular learning, but^ 9 (I) l)ecau.io it providoti for the relijrious oversight and instruction of our students, and (2) gave security for the character of the Professors who taught them. As to the firs*^ of these, Victoria College, in the proposed scheme, will have all the rights of religious supervision, instruction, and discipline that it ever had. It will have the complete control and government of its students. " As to the second point : the way in which the University Senate is constituted, and its relation to Prof(!ssors and Tutors, are an ample security. The Senate, with a large representation from the Church Colleges, v.ill be the governing body. Such a Senate could never support any Professor who.^e teach- ing, or character, was obnoxious to Ihe Christian sentiment of the community. Under the present regime, the Baptists and that large part of the Presl>yterian Church which rallies around Knox College, have for many years sent their students in Arts to University College, and do not seem to sufler any harm by it, though they are just as sensitive about morals and orthodoxy as the Methodists. And even the Roman Catholics, wlioin we deem so exclusive and careful about their youth, are liberal enough to do the same. I do not say we should do just as these bodies do ; but 1 do say, these facts prove that much thut is said about the danger of united University education must bo a* mistake ; and that 's Methodists we would lay ourselves fairly open to the oharge of an unpatriotic narrowness if, under the more satisfactory provisions and securities of the proposed plan, we should stand aloof in distrustful exclusiveness, while others enjoyed our rich educational inheritance. '2. Not only does this arrangement secure all the scholastic and religious advantages which Victoria was designed to bestow, it will aho greatly increase the injiuence of our Church over the cdt.cational life of the country. It will do this in two ways. It will enable us, through our College, ^o reach and inHuence- the large numl)er of Methodist students who attend University College, and who are now without any spiritual ovei'sight, or any centre of religious life, such as students of other Churches have in their Theological Colleges. The religious wel^'are of this large class should be as dear to us as that of those who go to Cobourg. The . opponents of Federation wholly ignore the religious interests of this class. In Toronto also, our Col- lege, with its worthy Professors and theological students, and other godly young men, v,rould touch the religious thought and life of the community in a way that it never could do in Cobourg. Why should we from sentiment adopt a policy that virtually shuts out our most •giftftd toachers from any position in the chief University of Canada 1 Is it wise to try to perpetuate tliis state of things? We are all at one as to the importance of religious «'ducation, thougli we may differ respecting the best means of promoting it Those who favor Federation are just as loyal to religion a-, those who •oppose it. Should anyone ask : *• Shall our Higher Education be ■Ohristiaji or Inlidel?" I emphatically answer, Ciiiustian! And, in order to^help in making it Christian, let us take our fair share in moulding the character and inspiring the life of our Provincial University. Tlie English Methodists have such a high ideal of the importance of religious education, that they have raised an immense .amount of money to carry un a system of Church Day Schools ; yet they rejoiced when the great Universities were opened to Dissenters ; ■and gladly avail themselves of the privilege of sending their sons to Oxford and Cambridge, though, in many respects, they are at a great •disadv'antage, compared with what our position will be in the Univer- ;sity of Ontario. Such facts show that, tried by a practical test, tlie main ground of the opposition to Federation is untenable. I do not hesitate to assert, that had the Provincial University been originally placed on such a broad unsectarian basis as that now proposed, our fathers would never have deemed it necessary to maintain a separate Methodist University. 3. What I have said in regard to the increase of our religious in- ^ftuence hy removal to Toronto equally applies to the influence of our V'hole educational work. Toronto is the centre of the Educational, Political, Legal, and Literary life of the Province. Good work done here is more under the public eye, and will tell more powerfully upon the whole communit)'. The sagacious Franklin Mctcalf pleaded hard to make Toronto the seat of our College, Its location in a small place, where it has had small local patronage and support, was a mis- take that has been detrimental to the influence of Victoria during its whole existence. Our best professors have been partially buried out of sight in Ccbourg, and the value of their work not properly known. A brilliant and gifted scientist, like Dr. Haanel, would have won a iar wider and higher reputation in a central place, like Toronto, than his remarkable scieAtific work in Cobourg has given him. Similar ;stutemonts might bo made about other Victoria Professors. 4. T]ie University Professoriate, which will sustain the same relation to all the Colleges, provides for our students an extensive course of ■ instruction ir, various branches, that we could not szcpply independently /without a very large expenditure, which it would he extremely difficult, 10 {f not, impossihle, to meet. It has now become a tremendous under- taking to maintain a University possessing all the appliances needed for every department of study. Toronto University, with an annual income of nearly $70,000 a year, finds this unequal to n)aintain a iirst-class position. Victoria, to take a respectable position as a Universicy in the future, would require from iii!l 50,000 to $200,000 for new buildings and apparatus, and an endowment tliat would yield from $40,000 to $50,000 a year. Does the result of our past experi- ence give any fair ground to justify the belief chat wo could raise this monc), for a purpose that has not the approval of our most wealthy and intluential laymen, who are in favor of Federation 1 And, even if we could raise the money, would it be wise for us to apply so much money to keep up a L^niversity 1 Will not tlie requirements of Vic- toria, as an efficient Arts College and Theological Seminary, give- ample sphere for the enterprise and hl>erality of our people ? But in the Federation scheme, in addition to other branches, th& scientific subjects, which constitute the most expensive and most con- stantly expanding departnient of a University, are assigned to the- University Professoriate. This relieves our College from the heavy burden of maintaining this most costly part of the course of Univer- sity study. f50, without any grant to denominational Colleges, they arc enabled to share in the provision which the Htate has made for Higher Education ; and thus, at last, we gain, in a somewhat diflerent form, an advantage which for many years was sought without success. To provide the buildings, appliances, and Professors which would en- able Victoria to do all this work as thoroughly as it ought to be done^ would, I believe, nearly double the expense which would be required by us on the Federation plan. It seems to me great folly to disparage' and belittle so great an advantage as this. Still, if we can affoinl the- ex])ense, we may ^each anything we choose in our own College. But, I fancy it will bo hard to make our laymen, who must supply the fundss feel their obligation to take this burden off the Province, in order to lay it on Methodist shoulders. 5. It is a strong reason in favor of Victoria coming into Fec^ oration,. that pending changes in the Provincial University will greatly weaken the groiind of any appeal /or the support of a DenwniHutional Univer- sity, in the future. The opponents of Federatioft do not seem to- realize this. The proposed constitution of the University Senate gives- greater security for the Christian character of the institution. A new hall for the use of the University Young Men's Christian Association is to be erected on the University grounds. Such branches as Chris- 11 tian Ethics, Apologetics, and Biblical Literature are to be recognized in the University curriculum. How then can those who would be sent in future to raise funds for a denominational University per- suade our intelligent laymen that such a University was necessary, because the Provincial University was not a fit place to which to send their sons? Nor will it be forgotten, that our own Board of Regents declared " that the general principle emV^odied in the present memo- r Toronto, would prefer to take their College course, in whole or in part,, at Victoria, if they could, at the same time, have the privilege- in the University Professoriate of studying such branches as tliey might desire, and secure the advantage of a degree from the National University. This is what may be reasonably expected. Hence, if efficiently maintained, Victoria's future will be brighter than her past. No one is being/' entrapped." All parties concerned have acted in good faith. The plan has not been devised by University College- people. A Toronto graduate, a member of the Senate, said to me recently : " I would regard it as a calamity, if Victoria should fail as- an Arts College; for I have long felt that University College needed, some competition." Objection. — Our graduates will be dishonored by Victoria ceasing to exercise University powers, and, therefore, they should oppose- Federation. Answer. — Tlie facts are against this conclusion. All graduates and undergraduates of Victoria and Albert shall have the same standing as- those of Toronto CJniversity, by the Act of the Legislature. By the change of the name to the " University of Ontario," the graduates of Toronto University give up as much as those of Victoria. There is no absorption. There is no degradation to any one. We have been met in a fair and generous spirit. If the graduates of Albert Univer- Ip"^ 'I 14 sity were not lower .id by becoming members of an older and stronger Univer^ity, Ijow can those of Victoria be lowei'ed by becoming mem- bers of a University that will be second to none on this continent? 1 do not despise sentiment. It is a great power. I lienor the loyal affection of Victoria men for that institution. I would be sorry if they liad not such a feeling. But if kindly sentiments towards past methods and associations were to outweigh facts and arguments, there could be no reform O'^ progress in anything. The most salutary reforms wrench some old ties. Many of Victoria's most distinguished graduates have already expressed their approval of Federation. Those who favor it are not less loyal to Victoria, or to Methodism, than those who oppose it. If men i ke President Nelles, Dr. Burwash and ■others, who have long and faithfully fought the battles of Victoria, and <)arried her interests on their heart and brain, are convinced that Federation is best, we may feel sure they have been led to that con- clusion by weighty and unanswerable reasons. The graduate.fi of Toronto University, at several meetings, have concurred in the scheme. And the graduates of Victoria will honor tlieir liberal education by showing that they can rise above personal sentiment, however natural, and consider this measure with an unprejudiced and patriotic spii'it, in its relation to the future educational interests of our country. ObJHclwn. — The Methodists in the United States have denomina- tional Universities , therefore, we should have a similar system. Anaiver — The religious conditions and educational systems of this -country ami the States differ too widely to make the coursy taken in one country a model for the other. The United Sta{;es has no national system of High Schools ; and the Methodist Church there maintains a large number of academies which feed her Colleges. We have a system of High Schools that are largely feeders to the Provincial University; and Victoria cannot secure a fair share of students from this source of supply, apart from the University system of the Province. It mubt also be admitted, that the number of first-class Universities in the States is very small ; and that a large number of feeble Colleges, exer- cising University powers, making degrees much more plentiful than eminent scholars, is not our Canadian ideal of a desirable University system. To imitate the M. E. Church is, therefore, neither practicable nor expedient. Ohjiction. — The College Board has not power to deal with this question ; it must, therefore, be postponed till the next General Con- ference. Answer. — This objection can only be urged by those who are 15 -4- opposed to Federation, and wish in some way to delay all action. The original Royal (^'barter vested in the Trustees the full right " to ^'rant, demise, alien, or otherwise dispose of all or any property " be- longing to the College. This power has been re-aftirnied by the Acts amending the Charter, and is possessed by the present Board of Regents. In 1850, an Act of Parliament was passed giving the College Board full power to remove the College to Toronto. At the Belleville General Conference the idea of removal was prominent, and a Commission was appointed to decide upon the site of Victoria XJni- versity. The Senate certainly has power to hold in abeyance the degree-conferiing power, for suiiicient reasons. There is, therefore, no want of legal power. Of course, it is not desirable that the Board should take any course of action contrary to the prevailing judgment of the Church. But there is no certainty that final action will be necessary before the laeeting of next General Conference ; though it is pretty certain that unless some forward steps are taken, we may suffer serious loss and disadvantage. Jf a Union Committee, and a Union (general Conference, neither of which had any legal or disciplinary status, discontinued four Churches, and made a complete Discipline for the united Church, it would be strange if an incorporated Board, to which is committed Ijy both the Church and the State the complete nianagement of our University, could not do whatever is necessary in order to carry out this agreement—subject to the final approval of the General Conference, or Conference Special Committee. Objection. — As Queen's College has not accepted Federation, the arrangement lias broken down, and Victoria should stand aloof. Answer. — Queen's has done what her managers deemed best for her ; Victoria should do what is thought best for* her. Our Board did not adopt the scheme on condition of Queen's coming in. The staying out of Queen's may prevent the completeness of the system ; but It does not in any way hurt Victoria, or constitute a reason why she should stay out of the '.'cdcratior Objection. — By removing Victoria to Toronto, we sanction a system of Centralization, that is not so good as a system of local Universities Answer. — The main assumption of this objection is open to question. There might, however, be some force in it, if it was widely held that the Government, or the Methodist Church, should establish a system of local Universities, and that lederation would prevent sucli a .system. But no one proposes this. It is not a living question. No one proposes that our Church should maintain more then one College in Ontario doing University work. So far, therefore, as the 16 University work of our Church ia concerned, wt; centralize just as^ much in Oobourg as wo will do by coming to Toronto. The reasons- which led the Methodists to adopt a policy of centralization, probably influenced the State in preferring one University for the Province. Objection. — You will save nothing. An Arts College, such aa is; proposed, will cost as much as a University. Answer. — If there is anyone who is so mentally warped as to be- lieve that a College, teaching a limited number of branches, would require as large an expenditure for buildings. Professors, and appa- ratus as a complete University, it would be a waste of words to reasom with such a person. 1 would, however, remind our brethren who talk so fluently about building up " a groat denominational University, "^ that it require.s a large patronizing population, as well as money, to* build up a great University. S^me of the objections urged against Federation seem more like pretetts than sound reafions. It seems to» me very inconsistent for gentlemen, who profess to be friends and admirers of Toronto University, to do all in their power to keep Methodists out of it, as if it belonged to others. If it is not what it ought to be, why not reform it, and make it tit for Methodist students, to go to? If the Legislature should pass an Act excluding all Method sts from our Provincial XT niversity, we would resent it as an outrage. Yet, those who are so warmly opposing Federation are trying to accomplish what is virtually the same r'esult, in another way. In the foregoing pages, I have stated facts and arguments that must have weight with all unprejudiced men. I ask for them a candid consideration. In an editorial in the Christian Guardian of July 2nd, this statement occurs : " If any arrangement can be made tliat will allow us as Methodists to share, as well as others, the advantages of the provision made by the State for University education, and give us a sufficient assurance on the two points named, viz., religious super- vision, and the character of professors — then we maintain it would be neither wise nor patriotic for us to stand aloof, and hand over the- endowments of the University to other Churches which have no more claim to them than ourselves." I think what I have shown in this- pamphlet fully proves that these t a o conditions are fairly met iu th©^ proposed plan of University Federation. PM5TKD AT TUB "CHRIHTIAS OUAIiDtAN " OKFICB, KIWO STREKT EaST, TORONTO. just as; reason 8- "obably nee, h as is- to be- would d appa- reasoiD ho talk ersity,"" ney, to* against aems to» ids and :o keep what it tudents- ling all it as an ion are another / its tliat I candid of July ide that 'antages md give IS siiper- k'ould be >vor the^ no more in this t m iter ro.