At the first meeting of the annual Conference of the
Con- gregational Union, held on Tuesday at Hull, Dr. Fading, the Chairman of the year, made a speech remarkable for the vehemence with which he protested against " the appropriation of public funds for sectarian education, whether for Irish Universities or for English denominational schools." "No; not for the sake of union with the Church of England, nor for the sake of Home-rule, nor for the sake of the Liberal Party, nor even out of deference to any political leader, whomsoever he maybe, can we withhold indignant opposition to that ill-omened scheme which the Government is supposed to be maturing." Dr. Fading, though he is anxious to give the Irish the power to endow denominational education to the fullest possible extent, would apparently rather make any sacrifice than do it himself. Is not this a little cowardly, as well as hopelessly illogical ? It is like saying : I would rather die than kill that man, but I shall be happy to hand the knife over to you, whom I know to be pledged to take his life.' Who shall say that Ireland has not conquered us at last, when even our ablest Nonconformist divines think such " bulls " as this P
Previous page
