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the true and exclusive object of the whole thing. It is confirmed by Mr. Bruce, who defines the clause as intended to give certain securities to Dissenters in the schools, founded by the money of the Church and conducted mainly, in most cases exclusively, by the parish clergyman. I accept this definition; and I say that it imposes an intolerable grievance on the Church and the clergy. What other charitable or religious trust is ever subjected to such conditions? In what other trust of any kind are the founders required to introduce a clause to foster and promote, in their own house, the very object which they have associated to banish and drive away? Suppose I am a parish doctor instead of a parish clergyman, that I conduct a dispensary instead of a school, and that my practice is so beneficial to the population that Government proposes to grant pecuniary aid to extend it,—would any one ever dream of asking me to take in a patient demanding a medical treatment which I conscientiously condemn and reject? A child is brought to me with a broken leg, and I want to set the fracture and administer febrifuges; but the father says, "I am a conscientious homoeopathist; I forbid your touching my child's limb; I conscientiously object to your potions and bandages; I insist upon your treating him only with the little globules in which I repose my confidence." Should I not be entitled to say in return, "My good man, I have no faith in your globules; I am convinced they are more calculated to kill than to cure; if you want that sort of thing, go where it is practised, but do not be so unreasonable as to expect me to pursue a treatment opposed to all my study and convictions, and which in my view is destructive of the life which I am bound to save." Now, sir, this is precisely our case—but with one important distinction: that whereas an allopathist may, for aught I know, practise homoeopathy without sin, a priest of the Church of England is bound by his ordination vows, not to give securities to dissent, but "with all faithful diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines," and "to teach the people committed to his care and charge, with all diligence, to keep and observe the doctrine and sacraments and discipline of Christ as this Church hath received the same."
It matters nothing to my argument, sir, on what description of schools this Conscience Clause is imposed. The liberty
