The Editor will be happy to receive any new

communications relative to the subject of the pre

ceding Pamphlet, as the publication of additional

instances will tend to advance the laudable cause,

in which Mr. Wylde is engaged, and which will speedily come before Parliament.

THE NATIONAL RELIGION THE FOUNDATION

OF NATIONAL EDUCATION.

A

SERMON,

PREACHED IN THE

Cathedral Church of St. Paul's, London,

ON

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1811:

BEING THE TIME OF THE YEARLY MEETING OF THE CHILDREN EDUCATED IN THE CHARITY-SCHOOLS IN AND ABOUT THE CITIES OF LONDON AND WESTMINSTER.

TO WHICH IS ADDED,

A COLLECTION OF NOTES,

CONTAINING

PROOFS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

BY HERBERT MARSH, D.D. F.R.S.

MARGARET PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE.

ΙΕΡΑ ΤΑ ΠΑΤΡΙΑ ΤΙΜΗΣΩ.

A

SERMON.

Sc.

Train up a

PROVERBS xxII. 6.

child in the way he should go: and, when he is old he will not depart from it.

WHEN HEN our religious Reformers had introduced the system of doctrine and discipline, which is now established in this kingdom, their next endeavour was to perpetuate that system by an education adapted to it; by training up the children in the way they should go, that, when they were old, they might not depart from it. Though convinced, on the one hand, that its tenets, as conformable with Scripture, therefore rested on a solid foundation, yet knowing on the other hand, that, if truth is not instilled at an early age, its place will be occupied by error, they wisely determined to intermix with the first elements of education the principles of that faith, which they themşelves believed to be true. Thus the prudent parent awaits not the age of maturity, that his child may determine for himself, but, as soon as reason begins to dawn, inculcates such principles of moral conduct, as, in the opinion of the parent, will best contribute to the happiness of the child.

VOL. I.

No. I.

D

66

Our Reformers therefore deemed it expedient, at the first Christian Office of which we partake, the Office of Baptism, to introduce an Exhortation to the Godfathers and Godmothers of the baptized infant, not only reminding them of the "solemn vow, promise, and profession," which they had made in his name, but requiring at their hands that the child be instructed in those things, SO soon as he shall be able to learn" them. It is required at their hands that he learn, not only the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, but the CREED," and all other things which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul's health." They are then admonished "to take care that this child be brought to the Bishop, to be confirmed by him, so soon as he can say the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments in the vulgar tongue, and be further instructed in the CHURCH CATECHISM set forth for that purpose." Immediately after the Forms of Baptism, this Catechism is inserted as a part of the Liturgy; and is there termed, "An instruction to be learnt of every person before he be brought to be confirmed by the Bishop." In the rubrics annexed to it, the Curate of every parish is enjoined to instruct and examine openly in the Church, on Sundays and Holidays," so many children of his parish, sent unto him, as he shall think convenient, in some parts of this Catechism." Parents are enjoined to send their children, and masters even their servants and apprentices (if they have not learnt their Catechism)" obediently to hear and be ordered by the Curate, until such time, as they have learnt all, that is here appointed for them to learn."

From this short statement, it appears that our Reformers themselves laid at least the foundation for a system of Religious Education, to be conducted under the superintendence of the parochial clergy. And to afford