I'
20.
ledge which they covet as a means to wealth, Experience is the best answer to imaginary fears on that point, The English Government has responsibilities resting upon it here which differ greatly from those at home. There it has to deal with a professedly Christian nation, here it is trying to do its duty by heathen. As a Christian Govern- ment, the secret of whore greatness la asserted by its sovereign to be the Bible, it is bound by the most solemn responsibility and obligations to make that Bible known to the heathen children it professes to educate. In evading obligations and neglecting or wilfully and without cause refusing to fulfil that duty, the Government of Hongkong la preparing a future of trouble and confusion for itself.
The attempt to apply political theories belonging to England, to a Colony like this, In simply throwing dust into the eyes of those who might see at a glance that the Chinese residing here are treated on all other subjects in a special manner and legislated for in a way quite distinct from any that prevails at home. It is absurd to talk about the right of conscience to any man until Christianity has made him aware that he possesses one,
I have thus, Sir, reviewed the question ; the way I have indicated of dealing with separate classes and interests separately, seems to me, after the study of some years, the only possible way of satisfactorily deal- ing with this great and important subject. --Something must be done it is admitted by all. If any one has any better way to propose, I shall be happy to learn what it If the secularlats can only secure that children are taught well and sufficiently secular subjects, they ought to be satisfied, even if children are taught other things beside and beyond these.
is.
If Romanists, Anglicans and Independents are each froe to impart Christianity accord- ing to their own views in addition to secular education to all who are willing to go to them, and are besides reasonably helped peonniarily, they ought surely to be satisfied. And if the Parents of this Colony find that they can send their children to schools where their reasonable prejudices, religious and national, are respected and where Coveru ment assists them to obtain fit education for their children which they are not suffi ciently wealthy nor sufficiently numerous to procuro entirely for thousalvos, they surely must be satisfied also. And if even the ratepayer unblessed with children thinks but for a moment on the anbject, he too will surely rejoice, at the Colony getting done gratis in the way I have indicated so ranch of the educational work which the fash on of the day has made for all of na a
SINE QUE NON.
!
A