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General Statement of the Income and Expenditure of the Society in the Year 1837.

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690 0 0 5,169 12 6

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Drawn from the Special Fund, raised in 1835-6, by a King's Letter, and a public Subscription, for the Education and Religious Instruction of the Negro Population in the British West Indies Portion of a Parliamentary Grant, for the Erection of School Houses in the British West Indies

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15,224 2 4

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7,160 0 0

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38,983 13 2

Total Amount of Income from every source applicable to the
Society's general designs

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Towards the support of 99 Missionaries (besides Catechists) in
the Dioceses of Quebec and Nova Scotia

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[Exclusive of 38 Missionaries in Upper Canada, and 28 in Nova
Scotia, whose salarics, since the year 1833, have, by an ar-
rangement between the Government and this Society, been
paid, in the former case from local resources, and in the lat-
ter from an annual vote of parliament. This latter provision
has reference only to such Clergymen as had been actually
engaged in the Society's service prior to the year 1833, and is
to cease entirely with their lives.]

Grants for Building or Enlarging Churches and Chapels
In aid of King's College, Windsor, Nova Scotia
INDIA.

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Support of 22 Missionaries and 11 Catechists in the Dioceses of
Calcutta and Madras
Expenses of Bishop's College, Calcutta, including the College
Press
General Expenses of the Society's Missions and Native Schools
in both Dioceses...
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

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Towards the support of one Missionary
WEST INDIES.
Towards the support of 37 Clergymen and a large body of unor-
dained Teachers in the Dioceses of Jamaica and Barbados,
engaged in the Education and Religious Instruction of the
Negroes
Payments for the Erection and Enlargement of Churches,
Chapels, and School Houses

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Grants for building additional Churches in New South Wales,
Van Dieman's Land, and Western Australia...
Grants to 8 Clergymen towards defraying the cost of their Out-
fit to New South Wales...

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[The Society has also undertaken to contribute 50%. a year to-
wards the maintenance of each of the 20 Clergymen to be
employed as Colonial Chaplains in the Diocese of Australia;
and will thus incur, when the whole number is completed, a
permanent charge of 1,000l. per annum on this account.]

Miscellaneous Grants, and Incidental Expenses

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Total Expenditure in promoting the Society's General Designs 50,414 4 9

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UNIVERSITY OF LONDON. - DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE PROPOSAL TO REQUIRE CANDIDATES FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS TO PASS AN EXAMINATION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT AND SCRIPTURE HISTORY.

No. I.

Resolutions of the Council of University College.

"UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON.-Session of Council.

“Saturday, 16th December, 1837.

"Present-The President of the College, and sixteen Members of Council.

"Resolved unanimously,

"That this Council understands that a proposal has been submitted to the Faculty of Arts of the University of London, 'that, as a general rule, the candidate for the degree of B.A. shall pass an examination either in one of the four Gospels or the Acts of the Apostles in the original Greek, and also in Scripture History.' That the question of the introduction of religious subjects into the lectures and examinations of this College was maturely considered at its first foundation; when, after much deliberation, it was agreed by common consent that it would be impossible to open the institution to all classes of persons on equal terms, if the principle of admitting religious subjects into the course of instruction were once adopted. That on this understanding, the funds of the institution were contributed by members of various religious denominations, and that the same principle has been inviolably observed down to the present time. That on the 26th of March, 1835, the House of Commons voted, by a majority of 110, an address praying his late Majesty to confer upon this institution a charter of incorporation as a university, by which it might be enabled to grant degrees to its students in all the faculties except divinity and medicine; and that on the 1st of April following, his Majesty was pleased to return the following answer :

His Majesty acquaints his faithful Commons, that having been desirous of giving to this important subject the fullest and most mature consideration, his Majesty referred it, in the course of last year, for examination by the Privy Council, who entered upon an inquiry, the final result of which has not yet been communicated to his Majesty.

"His Majesty assures his faithful Commons, that he will call upon the Privy Council, without delay, for a report of the proceedings adopted in this matter, in order that his Majesty may be enabled to judge what may be the best mode of carrying into effect the wishes of his faithful Commons, in respect of a grant of a charter to the University of London, and what may be the conditions with which such a grant ought to be accompanied."

"That notwithstanding the address of the House of Commons, and this favourable answer of his Majesty, the proprietors of this institution were induced to surrender any claim which they might be supposed to have acquired to a charter of incorporation as a University, and to accept a charter of incorporation as a College only, on being informed by the members of her Majesty's present government that they were anxious to establish a metropolitan university on a more extended scale, which might be invested with the power of granting degrees as well to the students of this College as to those of other institutions; but that the proprietors yielded to this proposal on the clear understanding that the University thus proposed to be substituted, was to be grounded on the same principles as the institution which had given rise to it, and that no subjects would be introduced into the examination for degrees of the University, which could not be included in the course of instruction at this college, consistently with the principle on which it was founded.

"That all classes and denominations of her Majesty's subjects would have just cause of dissatisfaction, in being required or invited to undergo an ex

amination in any part of the New Testament or in Scripture History conducted by examiners who did not profess the same peculiar tenets with the person examined, since it is manifest that no examination so conducted could be quite free from the suspicion of partiality.

"That this Council, having heard that the above mentioned proposal for the introduction of religious subjects into the examinations for the degree of B. A. is now under the consideration of the Faculty of Arts of the University of London, deem it right to lose no time in calling the attention of the members of her Majesty's government to the subject, in the hope that they will employ such means as they may consider most expedient, to prevent the introduction of religious subjects under any form into the examinations of the University; a proceeding which the council would be obliged to regard as a breach of the understanding on the faith of which the proprietors of this institution were induced to accept their present charter; as destructive of the objects for which the University itself was founded, and as inconsistent with the spirit, and an evasion of the terms of its charter, which professes to hold forth to all classes and denominations of his late Majesty's subjects, without any distinction whatsoever, an encouragement for pursuing a regular and liberal course of education,' and which is declared to be granted for the purpose of ascertaining, by means of examinations, the persons who have acquired proficiency in literature, science, and art, by the pursuit of such course of education, and of rewarding them by academical degrees, as evidence of their respective attainments, and marks of honour proportional thereunto.' "That the_resolutions be presented to Lord John Russell, her Majesty's Secretary of State for Home Affairs, by the deputation.

"CHARLES C. ATKINSON, Secretary to the Council."

No. II.

Resolutions of the United Committee.

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"At a special meeting of The United Committee appointed to consider the grievances under which Dissenters now labour, with a view to their redress,' held at Dr. Williams' library, Redcross-street, on Friday, the 15th day of December, 1837; Henry Waymouth, Esq., in the chair, It was resolved,

"That the introduction of an examination upon one of the Gospels, or the Acts of the Apostles, and upon Scripture History in general, by the Senate of the University of London, as a pre-requisite to a degree, does appear to this committee an indirect violation of the liberal principle on which the University of London was founded, and by which it was recommended by her Majesty's Government when it was granted as a substitute for a charter conferring degrees to University College, for which the House of Commons had by a considerable majority, voted an address to the Crown.

"That a deputation be appointed to wait on Lord John Russell relative to the above resolution; and that the deputation consist of the Chairman, Deputy-Chairman, Treasurer, the Rev. Mr. Burnet, Dr. Brown, and Mr.

Wilks.

"That the chairman be requested to solicit an early interview with his lordship for this deputation."

No. III.

Letter from Lord John Russell, her Majesty's principal Secretary of State for the Home Department, to the Earl of Burlington, Chancellor of the Üniversity of London.

"Whitehall, December 18, 1837. "MY LORD,-I have not yet consulted the law officers on the question which you transmitted to me respecting the reading of the Greek Testament

and Church History, as a qualification for a degree in arts at the University of London.

"It appears to me that this question can hardly be made a dry point of law, and that its solution depends not less upon the manner in which the examinations are conducted, than upon the letter of the regulation itself.

"It cannot be doubtful, I should imagine, that examinations in the Greek Testament and Church History might be so conducted as not to offend any class of Christians. On the other hand, such examinations, while seemingly confined to a knowledge of the Greek language and of historical facts, might be so pursued as to force the scholar to a defence or an apology for his religious faith.

"It is therefore without surprise that I have perceived symptoms of alarm among those who looked to the foundation of the University of London as the sanction of religious liberty in education.

"A deputation from University College, London, has represented to me their fears, that the freedom guaranteed to them at the institution of the body over which you preside may be violated and destroyed by the introduction of the proposed rule.

"They further conceive that, as the Greek Testament is not read by their professor of Greek to his scholars, their pupils may be exposed to an unequal contest with the candidates for a degree from King's College.

"The deputies from the Protestant Dissenters in London have likewise shewn, by a resolution which I have the honour to inclose, their fears of an infringement of religious freedom by the proposed rule.

"I own I do not think that these apprehensions would be allayed by the exemption of such as should plead religious scruples from the proposed examination. Such a plea might probably be misconstrued, and the grounds of the refusal would leave a wide scope for malignant rancour and personal attack.

"Whether it might not be possible to frame a rule which should leave it to the candidates for degrees to be examined in the Greek Testament and Church History at their own express desire, I am not prepared to say. Jealousy perhaps being now awakened, it may be difficult now to frame any rule on this subject which shall not meet with objection from conscientious Dissenters.

"With this view of the case, I must request your lordship to bring again under the consideration of the Senate the proposed rule.

"It would be most unfortunate if a rule were established which should make the University an object of suspicion, instead of a means of increasing the just distinctions to be conferred upon learning and science.

"It would scarcely be less of a calamity were the authority of the Secretary of State to interpose a bar to regulations deemed essential by the Senate.

"I must therefore request your lordship to bring this matter again before the Senate, and to state to them fully the difficulties which I feel must arise, should they persist in requesting the opinion of the law officers of the Crown on the proposed regulation.

'I have the honour to be, my lord,
"Your obedient and faithful servant,
"J. RUSSELL.

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Letter from the Principal and other Officers of King's College, to the Chancellor of the University of London.

"

Proposed Regulation for the Examination of Applicants for the Degree of B.A.
King's College, London, January 30.
"MY LORD,-Being desirous of communicating with the Senate of the
University of London, we think it most respectful to your lordship and

to that body to request that you will lay before them the following state

ment:

"We have learned from public sources of intelligence, that the Faculty of Arts of the University of London have had under its consideration a recommendation—“ That as a general rule, the candidate for the degree of B.A. shall pass an examination either in one of the four Gospels or the Acts of the Apostles in the original Greek, and also in Scripture History;' that remonstrances against the adoption of this proposal as a regulation have been made by the United Committee of Dissenters and the Council of University College, and that in consequence, the Secretary of State for the Home Department has written a letter to your lordship, requiring you to bring this matter again before the Senate, and implying his disapproval of the regulation. We are ourselves the officers of a body named in the charter of the University, and have the charge of that department of King's College from which all students wishing to gain the degree of B.A. would proceed. We have been for several years engaged in the education of young men under various circumstances, and have, consequently, both been led ourselves to a frequent consideration of the question of academical degrees, and have had constant opportunities of knowing the opinions of large numbers of persons whose sons are likely to desire them.

"Knowing, therefore, how constantly the silence of those whose duty it may be esteemed to speak is misconstrued, we trust your lordship will excuse us for taking this opportunity of declaring distinctly, that after considering the royal declaration in the charters, that their Majesties' object in founding the new University was 'the holding forth encouragement for pursuing a regular and liberal course of education,' we are of opinion that no system of examination which should positively exclude the subjects named in the proposed regulation could possibly be said to give encouragement to a regular and liberal course of education,' but must, from whatever point it may be viewed, or whatever its merits in other regards may be, be considered as greatly defective. It is consequently our opinion that the introduction of the subjects in question would be, to say the least, essential to the efficacy of any such examination; and, we can add, that we have every reason to believe that it would be most acceptable to a very large and influential class of the community.

"We are desirous to add, that on this occasion we are speaking only our own sentiments, and must not be understood as in any way conveying the opinion of our College council, (which does not, indeed, meet till after the period fixed for debating the question in the University,) and with respect to ourselves we beg leave most distinctly to say, that we do not, in any way, intend or profess to deliver our opinion on any question whatever connected with the Metropolitan University, except that particular one which is the special subject of this communication.

"We have the honour to be, my lord,

"Your lordship's most obedient servants,
"HUGH JAMES ROSE, Principal.

"THOS. G. HALL, Professor of Mathematics.
"ROBT. W. BROWNE, Professor of Classical
Literature.

"THOMAS DALE, Professor of English Literature and Modern History.

"The Earl of Burlington, Chancellor of the University of London.”

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