The "Rev." Mr. Bumpus, Unitarian, met the suggestions of the
Archdeacon with the scorn they merited. It was impossible to
apply to a representative child of an enlightened age theories so
long exploded. The Dean had certainly come nearer the truth with
that broad sympathy for which he was noted. He himself proposed
that the child should be made a model nursling of the liberalism
of a new era. Old things were passing away;--all things had
become new. Creeds were the discarded banners of a mediaeval
past, fit only to be hung up in the churches, and looked at as
historic monuments; never more to be flaunted in the front of
battle! The education of the day was that which taught a man the
introspection whereby he recognized the Divine within
himself--under any aspect, under any tuition, whether of Brahma,
Confucius, or Christ. Truth was kaleidoscopic, and varied with
the media through which it was viewed. As for the child, every
aspect of truth and error should be allowed to play upon his
mind. Let him acquire ordinary school learning for fifteen
years, and then send him to the London University.
Here the Chairman, and half-a-dozen members of the committee,
protested that the said University was a school of the devil, and
several interchanges of discourtesy took place.
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