a

thing as principle even in the variations of not having then intimated his opinion policy, which should keep them within the that the Bill was to be opposed.' The limits of consistency; and that their po. hon. Member for Perthshire (Mr. Home licy should, in all its changes, be free Drummond) was a Member of that Comfrom that discord and inconsistency which mission; and he distinctly stated, that his exposed the Government to such severe authority, as a Member of that Commisreproofs as were justly administered by sion, was not to be quoted in favour of his right hon. Friend the Member for the continuance of these tests; and adEdinburgh. He heard with deep regret, vised Her Majesty's Ministers to be very from the right hon. Baronet, the avowal, cautious before they opposed the passage the truth of which must have been forced of this Bill. The right hon. Baronet atupon the Government, since the former tempted to show that the continuance of debate upon this Bill, that sectarian cold the tests had only been partial. Nobody legiate education in Scotland was now denied that. The right hon. Gentleman inevitable. The hon. and learned Gen- was unable to adduce a single instance in tleman opposite (Mr. J. S. Wortley) which a professor was prevented from acasked what grievance was complained of? cepting a professorship, or any in which There were no better terms in which he a professor was removed from his profes(Sir George Grey) could describe that sorship, for not taking the tests. A case grievance than as a sectarian collegiate occurred to him (Sir George Grey), in education for Scotland. As 10 the argu- which a known Episcopalian, within two ment on which the Government rested ihe years after taking his degree, became alteration of their policy, what circum- Greek professor at the University of Glasstances had occurred, subsequently to the gow, and who remained an Episcopalian former debate, which induced them to during the continuance of his professorcome to the conviction that the hope ship, and continued an Episcopalian until which they then entertained had been de- he died. He now alluded to Sir Daniel stroyed? How long was it since the Lord Sanford. [Sir J. Graham: He did take Advocale was examined, and gave his the test.) He had no reason to suppose evidence before the Commission of In- he did, but if an English Episcopalian quiry into the Criminal Law of Scotland ? could take the test, what reason was there In answer to the following question :- that a Member of the Free Church could

not--if an Episcopalian were admitted, “ Are there any penal enactments in Scotland, as represented by Mr. Hume in his under such circunstances, to a profesCommentaries, affecting persons differing from sorship—why should not a Free Churchthe national religion, except Papists ?” his man be admitted also ? So far as he could reply was, ' There are restrictions. We have gather, the whole argument if argument now pending in the House of Commons, a it could be admitted to be, for maintain. Bill, brought in to relieve from disabilities, ing these tests, was founded upon the in regard to professorships in the Univer danger which was apprehended from Free sities.'"

Churchmen and members of the Estab. At page 41, the Report of the Commis- lished Church meeling as professors in sion siated that

the same University. If the passage of “ In Scotland there appear to be no reli- this Bill were prevented, he did not see gious tests as a qualification for holding offices how the calamity of a sectarian collegior places of trust, except for the admission

ate education was to be averted; and he of the office-bearers, professors, and teachers, hoped the House would interpose, by sufin the Universities, and for parochial school

. masters; in the latter of which cases, tests

fering the Bill to pass, to avert such a have always been imposed, though in some calamity. The result of a sectarian eduof the Universities they have been, to a great

cation would be to multiply and perpeextent, in abeyance. As this subject is attuate those differences, which he earnestly present under the consideration of Parlia- | hoped would be speedily allayed and diment, we do not consider it proper to offer minished, by bringing members of the any opinion upon it.”

Free Church and of the Church as estabThey expressly abstained from recom- lished by law within the same University, mending the continuance of tests, which and there training the youth of different came under the class of penal enactments, persuasion together. The right hon. because a Bill upon the subject was pend- Gentleman said that during a century ing in Parliament, the Lord Advocate l and a half these tests had been, to a cer

a

tain extent, in operation. But let him, no person entitled to claim the benefit of remind the right hon. Gentleman, that that compact. It was true, said his right during that time, comparatively speaking, hon. Friend, that if any persons remained religious peace had been known in Scot- in the same condition in 1845 as they were land. During that century and a half, in 1707, he would admit their claim, as the religious differences had not occupied Church of Scotland and the Universities the prominent place in men's minds connected with it, to have the protection which they formerly occupied. But what of those tests which it was the object of this would be the case now? Every man Bill to remove; but that the Church of would look to his neighbour with suspi- Scotland, since 1842, had ceased to be that cion; and he feared that the differences Church contemplated by the Act of 1690. which he deprecated, would grow and That argument struck him (Sir R. Inglis) multiply as before. Such would be the at the time; but, on reconsideration, it effect of obstructing this Bill. The hon. seemed to him to prove too much, as it and learned Gentleman (Mr. S. Wortley) proved the utter extinction of any Church said, that the General Assembly had this to which the faith of the nation was pledged. It could not be said, that it could be sought year discontinued the attempt recently in the Free Church; and, if not, what made against Sir David Brewster. But alternative was there but to recognise the would this attempt not be repeated, or might it not be repeated? The Assem- corporate body of the Church of Scotland, bly of this year had discontinued the pro-thorized Assembly, was then lying on the the petition from whom, through their auceedings; but that of next year might Table? The question was not whether encourage similar attempts, and give them their sanction and countenance. It should remove those which had existed for they should impose tests, but whether they was to prevent the possibility of the recurrence of such attempts that he sup-ence not merely to the decrees of the Genethe last 150 years. It was clear, by referported the present Bill. To the Bill he ral Assembly, but to Acts of Parliament, gave his cordial assent, and he could that from the period of the Reformation, not help thinking that the House should the intention was, that the institution of interpose between the opinion expressed the Church should be connected with acaby the Government, that a sectarian_col-demical education, and that they, and they legiate education was inevitable for Scot-only, should have rule and authority in the land, and their decision that no attempt Colleges of Scotland who were in commuwas to be made to avert such a result. nion with the Church of Scotland. It was He deeply regetted the course which the not quite fair in the right hon. Member for Government had determined upon pursu- Edinburgh to taunt his right hon. Friend ing; for, as the natural result of that the Secretary of State for the Home Decourse, he saw springing up a rival Uni-partment with inconsistency, because he did versity to the Universities already exist- not recognise religion as the essential basis ing-a rivalry which, he feared, would of education in the Irish Colleges Bill. go far to reopen all the sources of re- His right hon. Friend had expressly deligious difference and animosity, and clared that Ireland was an exceptional case to perpetuate the schism which had al--that the course he felt bound to adopt ready unhappily taken place. He earnestly trusted, that before it was too late the Government would reconsider their decision.

Sir R. Inglis said, his right hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh would acquit him of any intention to speak of him with any disrespect, if he said that of his speech brilliant and beautiful as were many of its passages-there was only one argument which seemed to him (Sir R. Inglis) to be a piece of ordnance that had made any impression on the bulwark he had attacked. It was this-that whereas there was a compact entered into in 1707 by the Act of Union, there was at present VOL. LXXXII. {Series}

differed from his general conviction, and from that which, under other and happier circumstances, he should have been ready to apply to Ireland itself. The question was altogether different when applied to Scotland, where, he believed, the large body of the people were still attached to the national Established Church, whose ministers for the last forty years had laboured most assiduously in the discharge of their spiritual functions. He was also ready to bear his testimony to the piety, self-devotion, and great sacrifices made by the ministers of the Free Church; although he could not think they were justified by a difference, not in doctrine or discipline,

K

but in church government, in breaking up the House would not assent to the second the peace of Scotland by their secession. reading of the Bill. He should vote against the Bill.

Mr. C. Buller said, when he recollected Mr. Pringle hoped the House would the proud eminence on which the hon. reject this Bill, which, be believed, if Gentleman who had just spoken stood in passed, would be most injurious, if not the eyes of the country on account of the wholly ruinous, to the Universities and singular sacrifice he had made of interest the interests of education in Scotland. to conscience in the course of the present These tests had existed in the Universities Session, he was prepared to expect someof Scotland from a period coeval almost what more clear principles of morality with the foundation of the Universities from his lips. He could scarcely conthemselves. Episcopalians themselves, ceive a test more grating to the consuch as Sir Daniel Sandford, had not scientious feelings and the honest pride of objected to take them, and there was no an honourable man, than that which the reason why members of the Free Church hon. Gentleman would keep up, and for should refuse subscription. Only those having taken which, for the purpose of would be excluded by their operation who obtaining a professorship, the member of refused to pledge themselves that they another church than the Presbyterian would not use their powers or privileges Church of Scotland was now defended. to the prejudice or subversion of the The right hon. Gentleman and the hon. Church of Scotland. The General As- Member for Selkirkshire contended that sembly of the Church of Scotland had this test did not operate as an exclusion ; petitioned the Legislature in the strongest but what, he asked, could tend more 10 terms against the Bill. The Free Church, keep out the members of another church and many other religious denominations from those professorships, than to extort in Scotland, had established educational from them a declaration that they pracinstitutions for the instruction of persons lised the worship of a Church to which of their own communion ; and, if this they did not belong? A man might, perBill were adopted, the Established Church haps, as in the case of Sir D. Sandford, of Scotland would be the only ecclesi- feel himself justitiell, by the usages of soastical establishment in that country ciety, and the lax tone of morals around which would be denied the privilege of him, in making the required declaration, possessing academical institutions for the though he was a member of a different education of its members. He called church; but this only showed the perfect upon hon. Gentlemen to reflect what farce of the profession. But he could would be the result of adopting this mea- scarcely understand such an argument as sure. At present the patronage connected coming from an hon. Member who had with the University of Edinburgh was most consistently, certainly, supported the vested in the Town Council, which had proposition for separate religious instructhe power of appointing the professors, tion being provided in the Irish Colleges subject to the control of the Act of Par- for the Protestant apart from the Roman liament imposing the existing tests; but, Catholic pupilsif those tests were abolished, every

elec- Mr. Pringle : The difference between tion would probably give rise to a con- the Roman Catholic Church and the test between the two parties in the Protestant Church is a difference of esChurch, in which the students of the sentials; while that between the Episcopal University would necessarily be involved. Church and the Presbyterian Church of He also entertained strong objections to Scotland, is not a difference of essentials. this measure on the ground that it would Mr. C. Buller contended that such a materially affect the whole system of edu- distinction did not justify the test, which cation in Scotland. The system of na- was one that ought not to continue ; and tional education in that country had been seeing the principle on which the Go. mainly, if not solely, originated by the vernment had acted with regard to IreEstablished Church ; and the result show- land, he could not understand how they ed how faithfully that Establishment had, could support it. The right hon. Baronet in this respect, discharged its duties ; but (Sir James Graham) rested his argument the adoption of the Bill now before the in favour of the application of a different House would, in his opinion, be most in principle to Scotland from that the Go. jurious to the extension of education in vernment had applied in the case of IreScotland. On these grounds, he hoped' land, upon the different circumstances of

the two countries. Now, although heronet so described peculiar to Ireland? was by no means disposed to complain of Thanks to the policy of the present Gothe Government for having at length vernment, it was not! What was the state altered their policy with regard to Ireland, of Scotland at this time? The Governand adopted a course of which he entirely ment had done all they could to bring approved, he could not but agree with all Scotland into the same state in regard to that had been stated by his right hon. religious differences as Ireland was. The Friend the Member for Edinburgh (Mr. great mischief in Ireland was, that you Macaulay). He could perfectly understand had there an Established Church richly a change of opinions leading to a change endowed, invested with exclusive priof measures, and conscientious convic- vileges and honours, which was not the tion, though long in coming, leading to Church of the great majority of the people. the adoption of sounder views. But he In Scotland, up to five years ago, the Esthought they had a right to expect to see tablished Church of Scotland was the the same sincerity evinced by the Govern- Church of the great majority of the people ment in the maintenance of the new views, as had been exhibited in support of the old ones, and not that the change should be merely that instead of acting upon the principles by which they had formerly been influenced, they had now, having discovered that those principles were erroneous, determined henceforth to act on no principle at all. The right hon. Baronet had said that the utter absence of all religious tests, either from students or professors, in the Irish Colleges Bill, as proposed by the Government, arose from the peculiar circumstances of Ireland; but the right hon. Baronet had not told them what those peculiar circumstances were; for every circumstance which the right hon. Baronet stated as justifying the application of that principle in regard to Ireland, would equally justify the application of the same principle to Scotland. What were the peculiar circumstances of Ireland? The right hon. Baronet had stated that the people of Ireland were in a state of religious difference, and that hostility and animosity on that ground prevailed; and he added, that the evil now was, that the existing educational institutions of the country were in the hands of one religious denomination only; and if you established any religious test as applying to the new Colleges, you would create so many sectarian institutions for education, wherein those religious distinctions and differences which were so mischievous in after life, would be inculcated in the minds of the students, and that the object of a wise statesman in such a state of things was to bring parties of different religions to receive a common education together with the view of implanting in their minds feelings of good will and friendliness to each other. But was the state of things which the right hon. Ba

but who would now venture to say that that Church represented the religion of the barest possible majority? The argument against the application of religious tests, then, was as applicable to Scotland as to Ireland. Was it not as important that they should not keep up sectarian education in Scotland as in Ireland? He was astonished to hear the right hon. Baronet, in speaking of a country not hitherto torn by sectarianism, declare in his place in Parliament that Scotland was, he feared, in that state in which all education must henceforth be-sectarian. It had been said the object of the opponents of this Bill was not to establish any new test, but merely to keep up old tests. For 150 years the great majority of the people of Scotland had professed one religion; the application of a religious test, therefore, was comparatively unimportant. It did not, under such circumstances, keep out any one who desired to be a member of the Universities; the test fell into desuetude. The right hon. Baronet said that the test still existed at the University of Edinburgh, and that those who chose to take it might. He had never before heard of an optional test. If, however, it was to be maintained on the condition that those who wished might take it, and those who objected should not be compelled, he would have no objection. But let that be understood at St. Andrew's as well as at Edinburgh; and do not, in future, allow such a man as Sir David Brewster to be excluded from his professorship for the glory of God and the safety of the Church. It was said also that, practically. the tests have done no barm. He could not admit that they had done no harm. The right hon. Baronet had referred to the professorships of moral and natural philosophy, and the possibility, if the tests were abolished,

of those who filled those chairs instilling, would be a highly conciliatory measure improper religious opinions into the minds as regarded the Free Church party. The of their pupils; but what security had assembly of that Church had petitioned they that that might not occur now? Three in favour of their being done away with. or four years ago a serious schism took The present was a great opportunity for place in the Church of Scotland, and a conciliating that Church, and if they ever large portion of) oth clergy and laity se- did hope to heal the schism which bad ceded. Those who were of one religion taken place, now was the time to operate before became divided, and religious dif- upon men's minds. But if they went on ferences previously unknown in Scotland in a course of intolerance towards the prevailed. And now it was that that party, seceding party, they would only exasperwho, by the aid of the law, had obtained ate the differences which had arisen, and the supremacy over the others, came render that schism which they all deplorforward to insist on the application of ed as permanent as it was extensive. those tests which had previously re- The Lord Advocate said, that the Bill mained a dead letter, for the purpose of which was now moved to be read a second keeping their opponents out of office. This, time, proposed to abolish tests in the then, was practically and virtually a new Universities of Scotland-except with retest. They were threatened that if one spect to certain chairs and theological proparty resorted to tests, the other would fessorships. It was not proposed by this take refuge in sectarian education. In Bill to establish any other tests in the room his speech upon the 1st of May, the right of those established by law. This Bill hon. Gentleman the Home Secretary simply proposed to repeal those tests, or, seemed perfectly sensible of the mischief in other words, to repeal the Act of Secu. likely to result to Scotland, should a Colority. Now, it would be remembered, that lege be established by the Free Church there were at present no Colleges or Univerparty. Now, however, the right hon. sities in Scotland for the education of the Gentleman seemed to have come to the clergy, except those with respect to which conclusion that the establishment of such it was proposed to repeal those tests. At an institution was a necessity which he the date of the Union it was made a parmust submit to; and the evil which he was ticular condition of the Union that those trying to guard against in one part of Her Universities should be maintained in their Majesty's dominions, he was deliberately existing state, and that those tests now inflicting on another. On the occasion to sought to be abolished should be prewhich he had alluded, the right hon. Ba- served. This was part of the Treaty of ronet mentioned with great respect an au- Union, and was afterwards introduced in thority which he treated with as much the Act of Union. A proposal was now contempt now. He then remarked that made to interfere with that arrangement, a great majority of the professors in every and to repeal those tests, and not, instead University in Scotland bad petitioned for of them, to substitute any other tests. It the abolition of these tests. He now was not even proposed to modify those seemed to say that these professors were tests, but absolutely to repeal them. He interested parties in the well-being of the was not aware that any body of DissenCollege, and, that, therefore, their opin- ters or Presbyterians had expressed a wish ions were not to be adopted, their wishes that those tests should be repealed. The not attended to. He did not think that resolutions which had been passed by the if these gentlemen expressed an opinion Assembly of the Free Church did not go favourable to the abolition of these tests, so far as that. He had said that the that that opinion should be sneered at on

maintenance of these tests was one of the the ground of the pecuniary interest they conditions of the Union ; and he would ask had in the attendance upon their lectures them to consider, when they sought the He had observed, with great regret, the abolition of those tests and the violation course which Government had taken upon of the Union, whether they had caused this occasion. Indeed, their whole con- any practical evil? He had heard of no duct towards the Church of Scotland, practical evil arising from them, and of no ever since the disruption, seemed that of complaint of their operations, except from men who had taken sides with one party, the University of St. Andrew's. Those and were determined to support it at all tests were uniformly observed, except in hazards. The abolition of these tests the University of Edinburgh; and the rea