546 HISTORY 



fifty members, composed of persons of different religious persuasions, includ- 

 ing ministers both of the established church and of the dissenting congrega- 

 tions."* The whole Colony was interested in this educating enterprise. Under 

 the direction of the Governor a plan was formed for a school to articulate 

 with King's College at London. Private subscriptions were made for this 

 purpose and the legislature made an appropriation to further it."" 

 The King extended his patronage to this institution,"" but the task before the 

 Colony was too great to be accomplished at once. Considering the chronic 

 low state of the revenues, liberal appropriations were made, but they proved 

 entirely inadequate to meet the requirements of those who were interested in 

 the educational enterprises of the Bahamas.'" 



The board of education began its work under the impulse of the first 

 agitation of the school question. Unanimity of counsels, which prevailed at 

 first, continued only for a short time. The Governor, as president, had only 

 a casting vote in this body of nearly sixty members."* The church of the 

 Bahamas had had control of all the public schools of the Colony up to this 

 time; it was not now disposed to relinquish that control, although the dis- 

 senters were granted a voice in the too numerous board. The regulations of 

 the schools as far as they had been made were such as the churchmen desired. 

 The Madras system of teaching, in which the catechism held a prominent 

 place, was introduced, and churchmen were planning to conduct the schools 

 on strict Anglican Church lines. The dissenters objected to this. They 

 opposed motions having this in view, in the meetings of the board. Angry 

 discussions ensued and contested points were discussed with increasing ill- 

 feeling. The president of the lioard ceased to attend the meetings."" The 

 stormy sessions continued with no apparent hope of reconciling the opposing 

 parties. A contest was here taking form which was to stir up the Colony for 

 several years. Attempts to remedy the existing evils were not wanting. A 

 change in the constitution of the board was accomplished in 1839. In the 



''* Colebrooke to Glenelg, No. 16 (1836). 



■'•" Colebrooke to Glenelg, No. 49. 



'-'" King's College school was never very successful, although it had the prestige 

 of the King's patronage. After several years of varying success, the premises 

 on which it was located were sold by authority of the legislature. This occurred 

 in 1849. 12 Vic, 3, Colonial Statutes. 



''•' Cockburn to Glenelg, No. 51. 



'" Cockburn to Glenelg, No. 24. 



'-'" Cockburn to Glenelg, No. 24. 



