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Article Original Correspondence. ← Page 2 of 2 Article Original Correspondence. Page 2 of 2 Article A LITTLE FRIENDLY GOSSIP ON SOME OF THE TOPICS OF THE DAY. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
got them from Chartannier , member of the Swedenborgian Rite , and one of the men who began the first Swedenborgian Religious Society in England . It was held in London , and the Religious Society was called the Thcosophical Society of the New Jerusalem . You will see in this name the same as that of the Fourth Degree of the Swcdenboreian Rite , called Fourth Illuminated ( or Enlightened )
Theosophist . Along with Chartannier were Springer ( Swedish Consul ) , C . F . and Aug . Nordcnskjold , and others . These gentlemen were all Swedes—fellow countrymen of Swedenborg—excepting Chartannier , who was a Frenchman . The two brothers Nordcnskjold were also members of the Swedenborgian religious first society in London above named , but subsequently went back to
Sweden . The Swedenborgian Rite in England was always worked in private—the members were . never organized into lodges . This was the case in Sweden and Europe generally ; the lodges worked without charters , there being no Grand Lodge to give charters until the revival in 1717 . The Rite was worked in Sweden and Berlin , Prussia , lt was there where Abbe Pernetti and Zimmerman got the
degrees so as to enable them to fabricate their spurious Swedish degrees—see my work . Whether it is now working there or not I cannot tell ; it was hunted down in Germany and Sweden for awhile , and in Sweden at last was confined to the aristocracy . I have no doubt it is there now , but confined as an aristocratic rite to a few . My work supplies all the necessary information ; but the
name Rose Croix , as applied to Swedenborg , should be substituted for the name Scotch Rite . I did not use the name *; in its modern form , which implies other degrees also , now included in the A . and A . Rite of 33 , which is really modern . Dr . Oliver says in his " Landmarks " ( vol . II ., p . 50 ) : " In 176 7 Chartannier made an attempt to introduce the svstem of Swedenbore . or rather a modification and
extension of it , into this country ( England ) without success . " Some of his degrees were : — -i , 2 , 3 , as before ( 3 . Blue York Rite Degrees ) - , 4 , Apprentice Theosophist -, 5 , Fellow Craft Theosophist ; 6 , Master Theosophist ; 7 , Sublime Scotch Degree , Celestial Jerusalem ; 8 , Enlightened Theosophist ; 9 , Red Brother Theosophist . You svell know that Chartannier manufactured these degrees out of the Swedenborgian Rite , taking the plan and even the names .
A WORTHY AND DISTRESSING CASE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Bro . Nicholas Donnithornc , who was born at Marazion , Cornwall , July , 1789 , and was initiated in the Royal Cornwall Militia Lodge , No . 618 ( now 330 , "One and All , " Bodmin ) , on the 10 April , 1812 , is now suffering
from paralysis , and is subsisting entirely on the free-will offerings of his brethren . He has outlived all his relatives , and depends upon the Craft for support . Bro . John Coombe , P . M . 450 , P . S . G . D ., Hayle ( where our aged brother now resides ) has been thc Almoner of the Cornubian Lodge for some years , and has been most generous in his attention to the wants of this aired brotherwho has been
nearly sixty-five years a Mason . He has , in fact , been in receipt of a weekly sum collected through Bro . Coombe ' s instrumentality , and we understand the lodge has appealed for assistance from the Grand Lodge Fund of Benevolence . His case certainly is a most deserving one , and Bro .
Donnithorne comes from a Masonic stock , his father having been a member of the Craft for many years , and on his death in 1803 , the officers and members of his regiment ( in which lie was sergeant-major ) erected a tablet to his memory . Yours fraternally , W . I . HUIIHAN .
THE FLUCTUATIONS OF MASONIC LITERATURE . To the Editor oj Ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I do not often send you a specimen of my writing , but I am impelled by a sense of my duty as a Past Master of eight years' standing ( having filled the chair of an ancient lodge during the year 1868 ) to thank you in
the interests of Freemasonry ( which I dearly love ) for your wisely and judiciously written article , " The Fluctuations of Masonic Literature , " which , with gratification intense , I read in the " Freemasonry" of this day ' s date . Your leader has not appeared one day too soon -, it must commend itself fo the consciences of all brethren who think , and I hope it will also to those " whose practice is the very reverse of
their profession . " Many times , after perusing the " Original Correspondence" in the " Freemason , " I have mentally asked myself whether such and such a letter can possibly have been written by a brother who still remembers the answer to the question , " What are the principles upon which it ( Freemasonry ) is founded ?"—letters—full of sarcasm , not "brotherly love "—inuendoes , suggesting on
the part of other brethren anything but "truth . " Why this should be so I cannot explain ; this I know , that if a brother must be reproved through the pages of a publication , open to the eyes of tl . e " cowan " as well as to the eyes of the Craft , such reproof should be conveyed in the terms of our " profession " as laid down in thc " principles " of our noble Order . Let me then , as one in authority , recommend , urge , nay , insist upon a greater regard being
shewn to our assumption ol being a loving , relieving , truthful association of brethren , by abstaining from thc use of pens dipped in gall ; for , take it as you will , my brother , let it be known by these presents to all the world , that any man , although he is a member of a lodge , and nominally a Freemason , is really not one unless he is a man of uprightness , a man of sound judgment , and a man of strict morals . A name to live by is not sufficient for us .
Yours faithfully , P . M . CHAFT AND MARK , AND A P . P . G . O Sept . 9 , 1876 .
Original Correspondence.
INSTRUCTION AND " RUSTICUS IN URBE . "
Tn Ihe Editor nf the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I am sorry to sec thc letter by a brother " from the country " respecting thc " Emulation Lodge of Improvement . " Mv nenpripnre . ns n mpmhpr fnr several vears . and an
occasional attendant , has been the very reverse of his , and having been the means of inducing many to attend its meetings , all of whom have been delighted with the " working , " the account that our Bro . " Rusticus " gives is to me all the more remarkable . g Of course , I know that the " Masonic season " has not vet commenced , and that as the meetings are held weekly ,
sometimes a " rusty " brother may be put in the chair , and his officers may not be " bright ; " but even then we must not forget that the object of the assembly is to secure improvement , and to suppose that possible suggests a want of complete perfection in thc members occupying the chief chairs . Our brother ' s experience must bc vastly different to
mine—unless , indeed , the meeting in question formed an exception to the general 1 ale—if the work cf the Emulation Lodge of Improvement at any time can truly be termed a " slovenly rehearsal , " or such as to justify the inappreciative remarks of "Rusticus in Urbe . " As I think attacks of the character in question should
not be anonymous , I am all the more anxious to place on record my testimony in opposition to the statement of our brother . Yours faithfully , WILLIAM J AMES HURIIAN , P . G . D . Truro , 16 th September , 1876 .
To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I should be obliged if you , or any of your numerous readers , will kindly refer me to that portion of our Book of Constitutions which will enable Grand , or Provincial Grand Lodges , to vote away its money to any charities other than those connected wilh Freemasonry . Yours very fraternally , AN OLD P . M ., ONE , & C .
THE WIDOW OF THE LATE BRO . WILLIAM FARNFIELD . To thc Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — 1 trust you will kindly insert thc accompanying letter in reply to the communication of Bro . J . A . Farnfield which appeared in your issue of the iCth inst .
I confess , from a feeling of delicacy , I did not personally consult Bro . Farnfield with regard to my proposed motion , although I had several interviews with his brother-in-law , Bro . R . R . Davis , who supplied me with all necessary data -, I was simply actuated by a desire to render a service to the family of my old friend the late Assistant Grand Secretary and I think it would have been
far more courteous m Bro . farnfield to have conveyed to me before the June meeting his desire that the motion should not be proceeded with . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , H . GREENE . Greville Lodge , 18 , Greulle-place , Kilburn Priory , Sept . 20 th , 1876 .
Greville Lodge , 18 , Greville-placc , Kilburn Priory , . Sept . 18 th , 1876 . Dear Bro . J . A . Farnfield , — I think it would have been but courteous to have communicated with' me before sending your letter to the " Freemason . " as had vou done so . probably wc mieht
have arranged something that would have satisfied enquiring brethren as to why my motion respecting a proposed annuity for your mother was dropped out of the paper , without making me to appear as an officious meddler in what did not concern me , by giving my notice of motion " without having in any way" communicated with your mother , your brother , or yourself . I have
before me a number of letters from Bro . R . R . Davis ( your brother-in-law ) , all expressive of thankfulness for the step about to be taken , and one of them encloses in your handwriting a memo , ot your late father ' s estate . Another of Bro . Davis ' s letters refers to an interview with your brother Herbert , from whom ( as you were absent ) he obtained
particulars of your father's government pension . For obvious reasons of delicacy your mother was not informed of the contemplated proceedings , and the same motive prevented me from applying direct to yourself , but as it was impossible to obtain the necessary data to go before Grand Lodge without applying to you , Bro . Davis undertook to do so .
Your statement to the "Freemason " that no communication was made to any of your family , and , therefore , the notice of motion was given without your sanction , is not consistent with the facts I have related . I think , in justice to myself , I must send a copy of this letter to thc " Freemason , " but before doing so I wish to apprize you of my intention . Yours fraternally , H . GREENE . J . A . Farnfield , Esq ., 90 , Lower Thames-street .
HOLLOW-AY ' PILLS arc tlie medicine most in repute for curing the multifarious mHlailies which beset mankind when dry , sultry weather suddenly gives place to chilly , drenching days . In fact , these Pills oiler relief even if they fail of proving an absolute remedy in all the disturbances of digestion , circulation , and nervous tone which occasionally oppress a vast portion of the population . Under the genial , purifying , and strengthening powers exerted by this excellent medicine the tongue becomes clear , the appetite improves , digestion is quickened and assimilation is rendered perfect . These Pills possess the highly estimable property of cleansing thc entire mass of blood ; which , in ils renovated condition , carries purity , strength , and vigour to every tissue of ^ the body . —Auvr .
A Little Friendly Gossip On Some Of The Topics Of The Day.
A LITTLE FRIENDLY GOSSIP ON SOME OF THE TOPICS OF THE DAY .
BY PHII . ANTIIROPOS . ( IFritlcn Especially for the " Freemason . " ) No . 6—EDUCATION . —Continued .
In this , my last paper 011 the subject , for thc present , I wish to point out what I believe to be the undoubted truth .
that the two systems—the denominational , with Government grant or without , and the Board School , with a rate in aid—can co-exist , and that there is plenty of room and work for both . In the first place , il : is clear that , for a long time to come , the denominational system , to use a common expression of the day , has the null in numbers . At present
these nu mbers stmd as 13 , 217 schools , against about 1500 in round numbers , and thejnumber of children on the registers , 2 , 744 , , as against 450 , 054 , that is to say , under Government inspection . Of course this latter number is gradually increasing by many schools not under Government inspection , but we must bear in mind that even this large number does not by a long way represent the full
numerical proportion of the voluntary system . The National Society , for instance , to which the Corporation of London have recently , upon thc motion of Alderman Sir Robert Garden , voted the sum of £ 525 in aid of its funds , has a direct or indirect relation with a large number of the voluntary schools . That society , it may be stated , was founded in 1811 , and since then has expended
nearly a million in building and enlarging schools , erecting and maintaining colleges for training teachers , inspecting and organising schools , and supplying the best schoolbooks and apparatus at the lowest possible cost . The society ' s grants have produced contributions from other quarters of at least £ 12 , 000 , 000 . The society has founded or assisted in founding , and now helps to maintain , 25
training colleges , which send forth annually nearly 1000 teachers , whose qualifications are certified by the Education Department . Mainly owing to the pecuniary help , advice , and encouragement given by the society , there are , at present , 9499 schools , which give a sound secular as well as religious training . Those schools have on their rolls i . 7 *?*; . o 8 *; children , of whom 1 . 17 s . 2811 are in averaee
attendance . It has also contributed £ 43 , 190 towards . the building of schools in Middlesex , of which £ 33 , has been paid to schools in the City of London and its vicinity , and £ 0900 to the districts of London south of the Thames . At present the society directs its efforts to build and enlarge schools and protect the 14 , 000 schools in union with the society .
When , then , we have subtracted from the actual number ' of children under inspection in schools , with Government grants , this last number of children and have added to them the children inspected in schools without grants , itself containing 57 , 196 scholars , we arrive at thc large number of 1 , 057 , 190 children in round numbers also under the denominational voluntary
system , and this calculation makes no allowance for dames' schools , private venture elementary schools , whichjarejalmost purely denominational . For the 14000 schools in connection with the National Society do n » represent the real number of denominational schools , and indeed , we apprehend that the exact proportion just now is about 15 , 000 denominational schools , as against
1500 Board Schools , a very great margin indeed . On the whole these figures arc very striking and vciy suggestive . They demonstrate unmistakeably to all who have ever looked into the subject , or carefully studied it , the happy advance of education amongst us , and they encourage the hope that in the good Providence of God we may yet , in a few years , overtake the real educational
want of our people , and make up for the apathy and ignorance on the subject . And wc also , it appears to me , have got to this , that it is most unwise on the one hand to to attempt to enforce one system of education , and most wrong on the other to keep up a spirit of hostile criticism and angry complaint as between the two opposing systems . The systems are not necessarily opposed to each
other , nor are they , nor need they be , in any sense , questions for the secular politican or for the religious part tizan . The legislature has , in my opinion , very wisely decided to set up a Board School where there is a proved deficiency of educational means , and which np voluntary body or denomination can supply ; and agreeing , as we all do , in the absolute need and
unfailing blessing of education , per se , for man , we surely cannot be so selfish or so sectarian , that because we cannot have our own ideas carried out , we will either oppose all Board School schemes of labour and extension on the one hand , or all denominational work on the other . It will have been seen from the remarks I have made that I am personally most favourable to the denominational
system , but , as a good patriot , freeman , and philanthropist I accept the decision ofthe superior legislature , loyally , the more so , as it tends , in my humble opinion , greatly to promote the spread and improvement of education amongst us . Let us hope that we have heard the last of he outcries of the alarmist , or the theories of the politician , let us trust that the good work of education will g °
on and prosper , and for my part , I at once say , that if the Board Schools can give a better education then elementary teaching they have a right to win in the race . In fact , the whole question becomes one of demand and supply and of actual merit , reality , and performance . In the long run the working classes will send their children where
they Can get the best education . It the religious scnuu' ** - give the best education they will assuredly send theirt there , for on the whole they are in favour of la religious education , let the stump orators say what they like . But if the Board Schools give a better education than the denominational schools they will attract the children of our labori-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
got them from Chartannier , member of the Swedenborgian Rite , and one of the men who began the first Swedenborgian Religious Society in England . It was held in London , and the Religious Society was called the Thcosophical Society of the New Jerusalem . You will see in this name the same as that of the Fourth Degree of the Swcdenboreian Rite , called Fourth Illuminated ( or Enlightened )
Theosophist . Along with Chartannier were Springer ( Swedish Consul ) , C . F . and Aug . Nordcnskjold , and others . These gentlemen were all Swedes—fellow countrymen of Swedenborg—excepting Chartannier , who was a Frenchman . The two brothers Nordcnskjold were also members of the Swedenborgian religious first society in London above named , but subsequently went back to
Sweden . The Swedenborgian Rite in England was always worked in private—the members were . never organized into lodges . This was the case in Sweden and Europe generally ; the lodges worked without charters , there being no Grand Lodge to give charters until the revival in 1717 . The Rite was worked in Sweden and Berlin , Prussia , lt was there where Abbe Pernetti and Zimmerman got the
degrees so as to enable them to fabricate their spurious Swedish degrees—see my work . Whether it is now working there or not I cannot tell ; it was hunted down in Germany and Sweden for awhile , and in Sweden at last was confined to the aristocracy . I have no doubt it is there now , but confined as an aristocratic rite to a few . My work supplies all the necessary information ; but the
name Rose Croix , as applied to Swedenborg , should be substituted for the name Scotch Rite . I did not use the name *; in its modern form , which implies other degrees also , now included in the A . and A . Rite of 33 , which is really modern . Dr . Oliver says in his " Landmarks " ( vol . II ., p . 50 ) : " In 176 7 Chartannier made an attempt to introduce the svstem of Swedenbore . or rather a modification and
extension of it , into this country ( England ) without success . " Some of his degrees were : — -i , 2 , 3 , as before ( 3 . Blue York Rite Degrees ) - , 4 , Apprentice Theosophist -, 5 , Fellow Craft Theosophist ; 6 , Master Theosophist ; 7 , Sublime Scotch Degree , Celestial Jerusalem ; 8 , Enlightened Theosophist ; 9 , Red Brother Theosophist . You svell know that Chartannier manufactured these degrees out of the Swedenborgian Rite , taking the plan and even the names .
A WORTHY AND DISTRESSING CASE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Bro . Nicholas Donnithornc , who was born at Marazion , Cornwall , July , 1789 , and was initiated in the Royal Cornwall Militia Lodge , No . 618 ( now 330 , "One and All , " Bodmin ) , on the 10 April , 1812 , is now suffering
from paralysis , and is subsisting entirely on the free-will offerings of his brethren . He has outlived all his relatives , and depends upon the Craft for support . Bro . John Coombe , P . M . 450 , P . S . G . D ., Hayle ( where our aged brother now resides ) has been thc Almoner of the Cornubian Lodge for some years , and has been most generous in his attention to the wants of this aired brotherwho has been
nearly sixty-five years a Mason . He has , in fact , been in receipt of a weekly sum collected through Bro . Coombe ' s instrumentality , and we understand the lodge has appealed for assistance from the Grand Lodge Fund of Benevolence . His case certainly is a most deserving one , and Bro .
Donnithorne comes from a Masonic stock , his father having been a member of the Craft for many years , and on his death in 1803 , the officers and members of his regiment ( in which lie was sergeant-major ) erected a tablet to his memory . Yours fraternally , W . I . HUIIHAN .
THE FLUCTUATIONS OF MASONIC LITERATURE . To the Editor oj Ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I do not often send you a specimen of my writing , but I am impelled by a sense of my duty as a Past Master of eight years' standing ( having filled the chair of an ancient lodge during the year 1868 ) to thank you in
the interests of Freemasonry ( which I dearly love ) for your wisely and judiciously written article , " The Fluctuations of Masonic Literature , " which , with gratification intense , I read in the " Freemasonry" of this day ' s date . Your leader has not appeared one day too soon -, it must commend itself fo the consciences of all brethren who think , and I hope it will also to those " whose practice is the very reverse of
their profession . " Many times , after perusing the " Original Correspondence" in the " Freemason , " I have mentally asked myself whether such and such a letter can possibly have been written by a brother who still remembers the answer to the question , " What are the principles upon which it ( Freemasonry ) is founded ?"—letters—full of sarcasm , not "brotherly love "—inuendoes , suggesting on
the part of other brethren anything but "truth . " Why this should be so I cannot explain ; this I know , that if a brother must be reproved through the pages of a publication , open to the eyes of tl . e " cowan " as well as to the eyes of the Craft , such reproof should be conveyed in the terms of our " profession " as laid down in thc " principles " of our noble Order . Let me then , as one in authority , recommend , urge , nay , insist upon a greater regard being
shewn to our assumption ol being a loving , relieving , truthful association of brethren , by abstaining from thc use of pens dipped in gall ; for , take it as you will , my brother , let it be known by these presents to all the world , that any man , although he is a member of a lodge , and nominally a Freemason , is really not one unless he is a man of uprightness , a man of sound judgment , and a man of strict morals . A name to live by is not sufficient for us .
Yours faithfully , P . M . CHAFT AND MARK , AND A P . P . G . O Sept . 9 , 1876 .
Original Correspondence.
INSTRUCTION AND " RUSTICUS IN URBE . "
Tn Ihe Editor nf the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I am sorry to sec thc letter by a brother " from the country " respecting thc " Emulation Lodge of Improvement . " Mv nenpripnre . ns n mpmhpr fnr several vears . and an
occasional attendant , has been the very reverse of his , and having been the means of inducing many to attend its meetings , all of whom have been delighted with the " working , " the account that our Bro . " Rusticus " gives is to me all the more remarkable . g Of course , I know that the " Masonic season " has not vet commenced , and that as the meetings are held weekly ,
sometimes a " rusty " brother may be put in the chair , and his officers may not be " bright ; " but even then we must not forget that the object of the assembly is to secure improvement , and to suppose that possible suggests a want of complete perfection in thc members occupying the chief chairs . Our brother ' s experience must bc vastly different to
mine—unless , indeed , the meeting in question formed an exception to the general 1 ale—if the work cf the Emulation Lodge of Improvement at any time can truly be termed a " slovenly rehearsal , " or such as to justify the inappreciative remarks of "Rusticus in Urbe . " As I think attacks of the character in question should
not be anonymous , I am all the more anxious to place on record my testimony in opposition to the statement of our brother . Yours faithfully , WILLIAM J AMES HURIIAN , P . G . D . Truro , 16 th September , 1876 .
To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I should be obliged if you , or any of your numerous readers , will kindly refer me to that portion of our Book of Constitutions which will enable Grand , or Provincial Grand Lodges , to vote away its money to any charities other than those connected wilh Freemasonry . Yours very fraternally , AN OLD P . M ., ONE , & C .
THE WIDOW OF THE LATE BRO . WILLIAM FARNFIELD . To thc Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — 1 trust you will kindly insert thc accompanying letter in reply to the communication of Bro . J . A . Farnfield which appeared in your issue of the iCth inst .
I confess , from a feeling of delicacy , I did not personally consult Bro . Farnfield with regard to my proposed motion , although I had several interviews with his brother-in-law , Bro . R . R . Davis , who supplied me with all necessary data -, I was simply actuated by a desire to render a service to the family of my old friend the late Assistant Grand Secretary and I think it would have been
far more courteous m Bro . farnfield to have conveyed to me before the June meeting his desire that the motion should not be proceeded with . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , H . GREENE . Greville Lodge , 18 , Greulle-place , Kilburn Priory , Sept . 20 th , 1876 .
Greville Lodge , 18 , Greville-placc , Kilburn Priory , . Sept . 18 th , 1876 . Dear Bro . J . A . Farnfield , — I think it would have been but courteous to have communicated with' me before sending your letter to the " Freemason . " as had vou done so . probably wc mieht
have arranged something that would have satisfied enquiring brethren as to why my motion respecting a proposed annuity for your mother was dropped out of the paper , without making me to appear as an officious meddler in what did not concern me , by giving my notice of motion " without having in any way" communicated with your mother , your brother , or yourself . I have
before me a number of letters from Bro . R . R . Davis ( your brother-in-law ) , all expressive of thankfulness for the step about to be taken , and one of them encloses in your handwriting a memo , ot your late father ' s estate . Another of Bro . Davis ' s letters refers to an interview with your brother Herbert , from whom ( as you were absent ) he obtained
particulars of your father's government pension . For obvious reasons of delicacy your mother was not informed of the contemplated proceedings , and the same motive prevented me from applying direct to yourself , but as it was impossible to obtain the necessary data to go before Grand Lodge without applying to you , Bro . Davis undertook to do so .
Your statement to the "Freemason " that no communication was made to any of your family , and , therefore , the notice of motion was given without your sanction , is not consistent with the facts I have related . I think , in justice to myself , I must send a copy of this letter to thc " Freemason , " but before doing so I wish to apprize you of my intention . Yours fraternally , H . GREENE . J . A . Farnfield , Esq ., 90 , Lower Thames-street .
HOLLOW-AY ' PILLS arc tlie medicine most in repute for curing the multifarious mHlailies which beset mankind when dry , sultry weather suddenly gives place to chilly , drenching days . In fact , these Pills oiler relief even if they fail of proving an absolute remedy in all the disturbances of digestion , circulation , and nervous tone which occasionally oppress a vast portion of the population . Under the genial , purifying , and strengthening powers exerted by this excellent medicine the tongue becomes clear , the appetite improves , digestion is quickened and assimilation is rendered perfect . These Pills possess the highly estimable property of cleansing thc entire mass of blood ; which , in ils renovated condition , carries purity , strength , and vigour to every tissue of ^ the body . —Auvr .
A Little Friendly Gossip On Some Of The Topics Of The Day.
A LITTLE FRIENDLY GOSSIP ON SOME OF THE TOPICS OF THE DAY .
BY PHII . ANTIIROPOS . ( IFritlcn Especially for the " Freemason . " ) No . 6—EDUCATION . —Continued .
In this , my last paper 011 the subject , for thc present , I wish to point out what I believe to be the undoubted truth .
that the two systems—the denominational , with Government grant or without , and the Board School , with a rate in aid—can co-exist , and that there is plenty of room and work for both . In the first place , il : is clear that , for a long time to come , the denominational system , to use a common expression of the day , has the null in numbers . At present
these nu mbers stmd as 13 , 217 schools , against about 1500 in round numbers , and thejnumber of children on the registers , 2 , 744 , , as against 450 , 054 , that is to say , under Government inspection . Of course this latter number is gradually increasing by many schools not under Government inspection , but we must bear in mind that even this large number does not by a long way represent the full
numerical proportion of the voluntary system . The National Society , for instance , to which the Corporation of London have recently , upon thc motion of Alderman Sir Robert Garden , voted the sum of £ 525 in aid of its funds , has a direct or indirect relation with a large number of the voluntary schools . That society , it may be stated , was founded in 1811 , and since then has expended
nearly a million in building and enlarging schools , erecting and maintaining colleges for training teachers , inspecting and organising schools , and supplying the best schoolbooks and apparatus at the lowest possible cost . The society ' s grants have produced contributions from other quarters of at least £ 12 , 000 , 000 . The society has founded or assisted in founding , and now helps to maintain , 25
training colleges , which send forth annually nearly 1000 teachers , whose qualifications are certified by the Education Department . Mainly owing to the pecuniary help , advice , and encouragement given by the society , there are , at present , 9499 schools , which give a sound secular as well as religious training . Those schools have on their rolls i . 7 *?*; . o 8 *; children , of whom 1 . 17 s . 2811 are in averaee
attendance . It has also contributed £ 43 , 190 towards . the building of schools in Middlesex , of which £ 33 , has been paid to schools in the City of London and its vicinity , and £ 0900 to the districts of London south of the Thames . At present the society directs its efforts to build and enlarge schools and protect the 14 , 000 schools in union with the society .
When , then , we have subtracted from the actual number ' of children under inspection in schools , with Government grants , this last number of children and have added to them the children inspected in schools without grants , itself containing 57 , 196 scholars , we arrive at thc large number of 1 , 057 , 190 children in round numbers also under the denominational voluntary
system , and this calculation makes no allowance for dames' schools , private venture elementary schools , whichjarejalmost purely denominational . For the 14000 schools in connection with the National Society do n » represent the real number of denominational schools , and indeed , we apprehend that the exact proportion just now is about 15 , 000 denominational schools , as against
1500 Board Schools , a very great margin indeed . On the whole these figures arc very striking and vciy suggestive . They demonstrate unmistakeably to all who have ever looked into the subject , or carefully studied it , the happy advance of education amongst us , and they encourage the hope that in the good Providence of God we may yet , in a few years , overtake the real educational
want of our people , and make up for the apathy and ignorance on the subject . And wc also , it appears to me , have got to this , that it is most unwise on the one hand to to attempt to enforce one system of education , and most wrong on the other to keep up a spirit of hostile criticism and angry complaint as between the two opposing systems . The systems are not necessarily opposed to each
other , nor are they , nor need they be , in any sense , questions for the secular politican or for the religious part tizan . The legislature has , in my opinion , very wisely decided to set up a Board School where there is a proved deficiency of educational means , and which np voluntary body or denomination can supply ; and agreeing , as we all do , in the absolute need and
unfailing blessing of education , per se , for man , we surely cannot be so selfish or so sectarian , that because we cannot have our own ideas carried out , we will either oppose all Board School schemes of labour and extension on the one hand , or all denominational work on the other . It will have been seen from the remarks I have made that I am personally most favourable to the denominational
system , but , as a good patriot , freeman , and philanthropist I accept the decision ofthe superior legislature , loyally , the more so , as it tends , in my humble opinion , greatly to promote the spread and improvement of education amongst us . Let us hope that we have heard the last of he outcries of the alarmist , or the theories of the politician , let us trust that the good work of education will g °
on and prosper , and for my part , I at once say , that if the Board Schools can give a better education then elementary teaching they have a right to win in the race . In fact , the whole question becomes one of demand and supply and of actual merit , reality , and performance . In the long run the working classes will send their children where
they Can get the best education . It the religious scnuu' ** - give the best education they will assuredly send theirt there , for on the whole they are in favour of la religious education , let the stump orators say what they like . But if the Board Schools give a better education than the denominational schools they will attract the children of our labori-