15 
instalment of wider and more expanded legislation later. Looking 
to the future, the paper thus concluded ;—‘“ that Free Education 
will be a success is certain, and that the nation will be better for it 
is a foregone conclusion. The late Mr. Matthew Arnold has told 
how well it has done for Continental nations. It has also to a 
large extent succeeded in America. It has seored a triumphant 
success in Scotland, where, ever since John Knox’s time, Parish 
Schools have been well looked after by both parsons and people, 
and the proverbial cleverness and sagacity of Scotchmen to-day, 
is no doubt largely to be accounted for by the advantage they 
have taken (at least for three centuries) of their opportunities for 
education. With all these examples before us, we are surely 
justified in believing it will also do well for England. The third 
great epoch of Anglican Educational History will be as success- 
ful, aye, more successful than the two former. The establishment 
of the universities in medieval times marked an era of progressive 
development which contributed to the prosperity and happiness 
of the people, and laid the foundation of our splendid Literature : 
the establishment of Free Grammar Schools later on, helped to 
build up a healthy manhood, full of enterprise, and spirit, and 
bravery, which overflowed in the splendour of our commerce and 
the assumption of our sovereignty of the seas, and the third 
great epoch, the one we are now entering on, may we not hope 
from the signs of the times, affecting as it will the hearts, and 
intellects and lives of millions, leave a still greater influence for 
good not only on the people of these islands, but also, through 
them, on all the human race. England to-day is better for the 
Education Act of 1870, crime has largely diminished, the people 
are better housed and the taste of the masses is rising in 
refinement and culture. There will be an increase in this 
culture as time rolls on. Labour and culture will be linked to 
the great advantage of the sons of toil. Environments will be 
improved, and free facilities for healthful recreation and instruc- 
tive enjoyment, will on every hand be provided by the com- 
munity; the truest and noblest kind of socialism will prevail, 
stamping out with crushing emphasis the hideous vampire of 
spurious socialism that has dared to assume its name and rear 
in direct violation of all noble instincts its deadly form in the 
land. But in the future this Appolyon of the age will have to 
meet the healthy influence of Free Sunday Schools, Free Day 
Schools, and Free Night Schools, a mighty Trinity contributing 
by moral, intellectual and industrial methods to build up and 
maintain a State, pledged to the practice of the Golden Rule, and 
inspired by the lofty principle that ‘‘ righteousness exalteth a 
nation.”’ 
A discussion followed, in which Mr. W. H. Colbran, Mr. F. H. 
Hill, Alderman Greenwood, J.P., Mr. W. Lewis Grant and 
Mr. Joshua Rawlinson, J.P., took part. 
